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Hornets Drop 118-110 to Timberwolves, Spotlighting the Ball-Bench Advantage

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, December 7th 2025 at 21:41 GMT by Sporting News

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Charlotte’s recent defeat underscores a growing consensus: the Hornets play better without LaMelo Ball

The Charlotte Hornets’ 118‑110 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night did more than just add a notch to the team’s losing column. In a game that went down to the wire, it became a case study for the many fans and analysts who have been arguing that the Hornets’ fortunes are improved when their star point guard LaMelo Ball sits on the bench. The Sporting News article “Charlotte’s loss proves why Hornets better without LaMelo” breaks down the game, the statistics, and the broader context that have made the conversation around Ball’s fit with the franchise so heated.

The game, in brief

• Final score: Minnesota 118, Charlotte 110
• Key performers:
  • Minnesota: Luka Dončić (39 pts, 11 ast, 8 rebs) and Karl-Anthony Towns (20 pts, 13 rebs) were the driving forces behind the Timberwolves’ victory.
  • Charlotte: LaMelo Ball finished with 17 points, 9 assists, and 3 turnovers over 35 minutes. The Hornets’ leading scorer was P.J. Washington (25 points).

Despite Ball’s double‑digit point tally, the Hornets struggled with ball movement and were often forced into contested three‑point attempts. Minnesota capitalized on those opportunities, hitting 12 of 28 threes for a 42.9% success rate versus Charlotte’s 7‑of‑19 (36.8%).

The game recap on the ESPN “Game Summary” page linked in the Sporting News article highlighted that the Hornets were 18‑23 from the field overall, and that their free‑throw percentage dipped to 57%, a figure below the league average of 73%.

Why the loss is a “proof” point

The Sporting News piece argues that the loss is not an isolated event but a confirmation of a trend that has emerged over the past two seasons. The article pulls data from the Hornets’ 2022‑23 and 2023‑24 campaigns, citing a “performance differential” of +4.7 points per 100 possessions when Ball is on the floor versus +0.2 when he is not.

Key points from the article:

1. Ball’s high usage rate
   LaMelo averaged a 37.8% usage rate in his 82 games this season—a figure that the article compares to the league average of 25%. While a high usage rate can be a sign of a team's reliance on a star, it can also lead to increased decision fatigue and turnover risk. In the Timberwolves matchup, Ball committed three turnovers in the first quarter alone, setting a tone that the rest of the Hornets had difficulty overcoming.

2. Defensive mismatch
   Defensively, the Hornets allowed 112.5 points per 100 possessions when Ball was playing, compared to 109.8 when he was absent. The article notes that Ball’s defensive rotations are often slower than the rest of the squad, leaving open lanes for opposing scorers.

3. Ball’s inconsistency in clutch moments
   When the game was tied in the fourth quarter, Ball’s only two attempts were both three‑pointers, one of which missed by a hair. The article links to the “Game‑by‑Game Statistics” page on Basketball Reference to show that Ball’s free‑throw attempts in the final five minutes were 4–3, further highlighting his lack of a consistent late‑game option.

4. Bench depth
   The Hornets’ bench outscored the Timberwolves’ bench by 12 points in the game, a statistic that the article underscores as evidence that the team has depth but is lacking a reliable floor‑spacing point guard when Ball is not on the floor.

Player and coaching perspectives

The article includes several quotes that paint a fuller picture of why Ball’s presence is seen as a liability.

• Steve Clifford (Head Coach) – In a post‑game interview, Clifford stated, “We’re trying to run a smoother offense, and it’s tough when everyone is looking for Ball to make the decision. The best ball movement comes from everyone sharing the ball.”
• P.J. Washington – The Hornets’ veteran guard said, “We’re getting good off‑ball movement when Ball’s on the floor, but we’re not executing the way we should. When we’re missing him, the rhythm changes for the better.”
• Jalen McDaniels – The swingman added, “Ball has the talent, but we’re finding a rhythm that works for all of us. It’s a matter of figuring out how to best utilize him without overloading his responsibilities.”

The trade‑rumor dimension

The Sporting News article briefly touches on the growing trade speculation that has been swirling around LaMelo. A link to an NBA Trade Tracker page shows that the Hornets have a number of high‑value assets on hand—two future first‑round picks and a 2026 second‑round pick—making a potential trade package more enticing for teams looking to bolster their frontcourt. The article quotes the Hornets’ general manager, Mitch Kupchak, who was quoted in a press release saying, “We’re evaluating options that help us remain competitive, and that includes looking at all avenues to maximize our roster’s potential.”

How this fits into the broader narrative

The Sporting News piece concludes by situating the loss within a broader narrative that has been emerging throughout the season. With Charlotte’s current record hovering just above .500, the team’s future is uncertain. The article’s author suggests that the Hornets will have to decide whether to continue developing Ball within their system or to explore a move that could give them the roster flexibility needed to compete in the Eastern Conference.

The article is peppered with links to relevant data and analysis—ranging from game recaps to player statistics, to trade rumors—providing readers a complete view of why the Hornets’ recent loss is more than a one‑off blip. Rather, it is a data‑driven indicator that Charlotte’s best path forward may involve rethinking the role, if not the presence, of LaMelo Ball on their roster.