Charlotte Hornets vs. Phoenix Suns

Charlotte Hornets vs. Phoenix Suns  

Friday, March 15, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

Spectrum Center
333 E Trade St.
Charlotte, NC 28202

Tickets: $44 plus

The Hornets will host the Phoenix Suns for the first time this season on Friday Night at Spectrum Center. The Suns have a 1-0 season series lead, after beating the Hornets in late December. Phoenix is 3-2 in their last five games, and currently sit in seventh place in the Western Conference standings. The Hornets enter the game following a 110-98 win against the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday night. 

The Hornets will wear their Classic Edition uniforms against the Suns, a design that echoes the 1997-2002 era of the team, celebrating Anniversary Night, a season-long series of games commemorating the 35th year of the franchise. 

What to watch for: 

The Suns currently rank sixth in the NBA in true shooting percentage (60.2). Phoenix’ “Big 3” is composed of multiple elite scorers (Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal), and they play at their own pace, preferring half-court offense over a run-and-gun transition style of play. The Hornets will need to rebound the ball effectively on defense in order to limit Phoenix’ second-chance opportunities.

Kevin Durant passed Carmelo Anthony for ninth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list on February 23. Durant now sits 33 points shy of passing Shaquille O’Neal for eighth in all-time scoring. The 14-time All-Star leads the Suns  this season, averaging 28.3 points per game.  

Brandon Miller needs six points to become the third-fastest Hornets player to reach 1,000 for his career (60 games played), and one 3-pointer for the longest consecutive games with a three streak by a rookie this season (22). 

Suns forward Nassir Little (left knee inflammation) will be available for tonight’s game. Eric Gordon (left knee contusion) is questionable and Josh Okogie (lower abdominal strain) is likely out. Damion Lee (knee) is still  recovering from a meniscus surgery he underwent in October.

Hornets forward Bryce McGowens (knee) has been ruled out for Friday’s game. LaMelo Ball (right ankle), Seth Curry (right ankle), Cody Martin (left ankle), and Mark Williams (lower back) remain out for the Hornets.

Inside the Numbers

• Vasilije Micic registered a career-high 25 points (on 9 of 10 shooting), five 3-pointers and eight assists in the win at Memphis, becoming the first rookie and third player in NBA history to meet those thresholds in a game (Damian Lillard, Brent Barry). 
• Miles Bridges notched his fourth-straight 20-point game with a game-high 27 points, six rebounds and six assists in the win at Memphis for the 11th 25-5-5 outing of his career. 
• Aleksej Pokusevski delivered season-highs in points (9), rebounds (5), blocks (2) and minutes (27) at Memphis. 

Jeremy Grandison is a Charlotte native and contributing sports writer for CLTure. He also hosts his own podcast, Lock It or Leave It.

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