Charlotte Hornets see encouraging growth from Brandon Miller despite third-quarter surge by Golden State Warriors

The Charlotte Hornets returned to action early on New Year's Eve, playing the Golden State Warriors and Charlotte native Steph Curry, following a dismal Monday night loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Star rookie Kon Knueppel will return to the starting lineup for Wednesday's matinee after missing Monday's game due to an ankle ailment.

Brandon Miller has always been regarded as a prolific scorer. However, something more fascinating is taking place in Charlotte as the 2025–26 NBA season progresses; this change has the potential to completely alter Miller's career as well as the Hornets' long-term prospects.

Promising signs emerge for the Hornets as Brandon Miller’s all-around growth shines despite Warriors’ dominant run

For a long time, fans have wanted Miller to expand his skill set. They are finally witnessing it this year. He is no longer merely a bucket-getter. Miller's assist rate has increased to 18.0 percent, putting him in the top tier of NBA wing players, according to Sports Illustrated. At 18.5%, Basketball-Reference even gives him a marginally higher rating.

That's more than simply progress; it shows that Miller is becoming a real playmaker, something Charlotte sorely needs. However, Miles Bridges would be absent from the Hornets for the first time this season, making Sion James the only player who has participated in every game.




After coming back, Knueppel showed no symptoms of rust, making the first shot of the afternoon with a corner three. Hornets standout Brandon Miller scored 19 points in the first half of the two-quarter shootout. However, the Warriors began to build a run towards the conclusion of the first half that continued into the second.

The Warriors started the third quarter on a 10-0 run to increase their advantage to 15 in what appeared to be a third-quarter avalanche reminiscent of the Warriors dynasty.

Miller seems to have improved at locating his teammates for greater scoring possibilities, as Sports Illustrated's Matt Alquiza pointed out. With an assist percentage of 18.0 percent thus far this season, he is in the 89th percentile of all wing players. It's important to note that Basketball-Reference estimates his percentage as 18.5 percent, which is slightly higher.

LaMelo Ball sparks late Hornets rally, but Warriors’ closing trio proves too strong in tight loss

But LaMelo Ball had other ideas than to allow the snowball to become an avalanche. The Hornets star scored 12 points in the third quarter, making all four of his threes. He contributed to the Hornets' 36-19 comeback at the end of the third quarter, which changed the Warriors' 15-point advantage to a 2-point advantage going into the final stanza.

However, the Hornets shouldn't have been concerned about Steph Curry or Jimmy Butler since Brandin Podziemski scored nine points in the fourth quarter to help the Warriors retake the lead in the first few minutes, increasing it to eight.

Miller has established a reputation for his ability to make crucial plays since the Hornets selected him in the 2023 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, he has missed a number of games due to ailments that have plagued his time on the field. This has made it more difficult for him and his colleagues to grow together.

With less than a minute left, the Hornets managed to reduce the advantage to four, but regardless of the opponent, a closing lineup consisting of Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Steph Curry would always be challenging to defeat. The Hornets dropped to 11-22 on the season after losing 132-125.


Also read: Who is Kon Knueppel? Everything to know about Charlotte Hornets rookie sensation as he eases injury fears after ankle scare