On January 5, 2026, the Charlotte Hornets pulled off a stunning upset against the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, winning 124-97. Brandon Miller led the charge with 28 points, while Kon Knueppel added 23 points, helping the Hornets snap a three-game losing streak. This victory marked Oklahoma City's worst loss of the season and the only time they failed to score 100 points.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, known for his consistent scoring, had a rare off night, scoring just 21 points on 7-for-21 shooting. This was the second straight loss for the Thunder, who started the season with a 24-1 record but have now dropped to 30-7. The Hornets took an early lead, 21-9, but the Thunder tied the game at 33 by the end of the first quarter, thanks to Ajay Mitchell's 10 points off the bench.
Charlotte regained control in the second quarter, outscoring Oklahoma City 37-17 to take a 67-50 lead at halftime. Miller scored 19 points in the first half, while Gilgeous-Alexander was held to just 9 points. The Thunder's struggles continued in the third quarter, as LaMelo Ball of the Hornets made a remarkable circus shot from the corner, standing on one leg with a foot on the 3-point line, extending Charlotte's lead to 74-55.
The Hornets' momentum continued into the fourth, with Miller's 3-pointer as time expired in the third quarter putting them up 99-71. The Thunder couldn't mount a comeback, and the Hornets held on for the victory. This win sets up an intriguing upcoming schedule for both teams, with the Hornets hosting the Toronto Raptors and the Thunder welcoming the Utah Jazz.
The AP NBA coverage of this game can be found at AP NBA.
