Relive the dramatic ending in Charlotte as the Hornets abbreviate next to Kings

Let it go to the NBA for entertainment on a random night in mid-December during a game between the Kings and the Hornets.

Now, for some context, up to seven players are excluded because of Charlotte, mainly due to COVID-19 health and safety precautions, including those starting in LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier.

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Despite those absences, the Hornets still took the lead in the final game, 124-123, against the Kings that have won three games in a row and five of their last seven.

“It’s probably the proudest thing I’ve had on a team in my four years here,” Hornets head coach James Borrego said after the game. “I love this group.”

It was a wild and dramatic end at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, so take a close look at how momentum swings in the final seconds.

60 seconds left: Wasps lead 120-119

The Hornets fought back from a 12-point deficit in the third quarter – the Kings game’s biggest lead – to take the lead for most of the fourth quarter. However, they could not retreat and the game was over late.

Miles Bridges and rookie James Bouknight are the duo stepping up the steps for the Hornets. While Bridges finished with 23 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, the rookie provided much-needed shine when he came on off the bench, scoring 24 points in just 25 minutes. .

53.9 seconds left: Kings lead 121-120

After a defensive tackle, the Kings ran down the field but their options were cut out and Tyrese Haliburton was stuck in the corner with the ball. Sacramento was forced off but it worked in its favor.

After the wait, De’Aaron Fox gave the Kings the lead with a key mid-range jumper.

34.2 seconds left: Hornet leads 123-121

Cody Martin saves the Hornets’ ugly possession with a clutch trio to put his team back on top. It was his only 3-pointer in the game and it won’t be the last time he makes an impact.

20.2 seconds left: Kings lead 123-123

On one shot, Fox was fouled and he knocked down both free throws to tie things up to just 20.2 seconds. Two free throws gave Fox 31 points on the night, his fourth game of 30 of the season and the second in a row. It also makes him the perfect 8/8 from the row for the game – an important stat to watch out for in the future.

5.5 seconds left: Wasps lead 124-123

Martin comes to the rescue again. Just below the belt, his pump-fake gave him a chance on a 3-point play that could have sent the game out of hand.

However, as he was lining up for a chance to put the Hornets ahead126-123, the Kings challenged the foul and the review was successful. There is concrete evidence that the foul occurred before the shot was taken and the resulting goal was not counted.

Martin once again lined up to take two free throws, but this time to give Charlotte a 125-123 lead. However, he went either, and it was the first of two mistakes he made that gave the Kings a chance to steal the game.

Sacramento sent the ball out and Martin quickly fouled Fox, deeming the Hornets foul for free.

The problem is… they don’t. Fox, who had been perfect from the road until then, had a chance to win the game with 2.4 seconds left.

Just when it looked like the Kings would go away with victory, the unexpected happened. Fox missed both free throws, but Marvin Bagley III had a chance to play the hero with a header but missed a chance to recover as Sacramento jumped at the chance to earn the win.

Final buzzer: Hornets win 124-123

The frantic win at home is a great move for Hornets fans as the team prepares for a six-game Western Conference trip.

The loss, on the other hand, is sure to leave a sour taste in the mouths of the Kings, who will acclimatize in less than 24 hours in Cleveland.