Bridges Powers Hornets to Franchise-Record-Tying Ninth Straight Victory Over Hawks

Miles Bridges delivered another stellar performance with 26 points as the Charlotte Hornets extended their winning streak to nine games with a 126-119 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night. The win marks the longest active winning streak in the NBA and matches the franchise's best run since the team won nine consecutive games during the 1998-99 season, a remarkable achievement for a young Charlotte squad that has transformed its fortunes over the past month.

Kon Knueppel continued his impressive rookie campaign with 23 points, providing crucial scoring support for Bridges and demonstrating the depth that has fueled Charlotte's surge up the Eastern Conference standings. LaMelo Ball orchestrated the offense with characteristic flair, contributing 19 points and nine assists while showcasing the playmaking wizardry that makes the Hornets' attack so difficult to defend. Charlotte has now won 12 of its last 15 games, a stretch that has completely altered their playoff outlook and established them as one of the league's hottest teams.

The Hornets performed with remarkable clutch composure down the stretch, weathering multiple Atlanta runs to secure the victory. Charlotte's ability to execute in crucial moments has become a hallmark of this winning streak, with different players stepping up each night to make winning plays. Against the Hawks, it was the combination of Bridges' scoring, Knueppel's efficiency, and Ball's creation that proved decisive, with all three delivering in key fourth-quarter possessions to maintain separation.

Atlanta put forth a valiant effort despite falling short, with Jalen Johnson leading the charge with an impressive 31 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Johnson's near triple-double showcased his emerging star power and versatility, but the Hawks couldn't find enough secondary scoring to match Charlotte's balanced attack. Atlanta had won six of eight games entering the contest and appeared to have found their rhythm, making the loss particularly frustrating as they jockey for playoff positioning in the competitive Eastern Conference.

The Hornets' nine-game winning streak represents a remarkable turnaround for a franchise that has struggled for consistency in recent seasons. Head coach Charles Lee deserves significant credit for extracting maximum effort and cohesion from his roster, implementing a system that maximizes the talents of Ball, Bridges, and the team's young core. The defensive improvements during this stretch have been particularly noteworthy, with Charlotte showing a commitment and intensity on that end of the floor that had been lacking earlier in the season.

As Charlotte looks to extend their winning streak even further and potentially set a new franchise record with a tenth consecutive victory, the confidence coursing through the locker room is palpable. The Hornets have proven they can win in various ways—through offensive shootouts, defensive grind-it-out affairs, and clutch fourth-quarter performances. If they can maintain this level of play through the remainder of the season, Charlotte could emerge as a dangerous playoff opponent that no team wants to face in a seven-game series.