Charlotte Hornets vs Phoenix Suns Match Player Stats
The charlotte hornets vs phoenix suns match player stats tell a clear story about how Phoenix turned a competitive first half into a 111-99 home victory on March 8, 2026, in Phoenix. The Suns received a complete performance from Devin Booker, who finished with 30 points and 10 assists, while Collin Gillespie and Jalen Green each added 24 points. For Charlotte, LaMelo Ball led the way with 22 points and 6 assists, but the Hornets could not maintain their early scoring pace against a Phoenix team that became more efficient as the game progressed.
The game was close at halftime, with Phoenix leading 60-58. The difference came after the break. Charlotte scored only 19 points in the third quarter, then managed 22 in the fourth, while Phoenix finished with 21 and 30 points in those periods. That late offensive control allowed the Suns to pull away and protect their home floor.
For readers researching individual performances, shooting efficiency, playmaking, rebounding, turnovers, and the overall team comparison, this game offers several useful lessons. The final score alone does not explain why Phoenix won. The underlying numbers show that free throw efficiency, three-point production, ball security, and fourth-quarter execution were all important.
Game Overview
The matchup took place at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. The official attendance was 17,071.
Charlotte entered the contest with a 32-33 record and an 18-16 road mark. Phoenix was 37-27 overall and 22-13 at home. The Suns ultimately improved their position in the season series to 1-0 against the Hornets.
The final score was:
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Charlotte Hornets | 30 | 28 | 19 | 22 | 99 |
| Phoenix Suns | 28 | 32 | 21 | 30 | 111 |
Phoenix therefore outscored Charlotte by 12 points overall.
The most important turning point was not the opening quarter. Charlotte actually won the first period 30-28. The Suns responded by scoring 32 points in the second quarter, taking a two-point halftime advantage.
After halftime, Phoenix gradually created separation.
Charlotte’s third-quarter output dropped to 19 points, and its fourth-quarter total of 22 was not enough to keep pace with Phoenix’s 30. That meant the Suns outscored Charlotte 51-41 over the final two quarters.
The official NBA game record confirms the 111-99 result, the quarter-by-quarter scoring, the attendance, and the major individual performances.
Charlotte Hornets vs Phoenix Suns Match Player Stats
The most important individual numbers from this matchup are centered around Booker and Ball, but the supporting performances help explain the result.
Charlotte Hornets Player Leaders
LaMelo Ball was Charlotte’s leading scorer with 22 points. He also recorded 6 assists, making him the Hornets’ leading playmaker.
Miles Bridges finished with 16 points, while Kon Knueppel contributed 15. Brandon Miller scored 11 points and led Charlotte with 9 rebounds.
The distribution of scoring is important. Charlotte had four players in double figures, but none reached 23 points. Phoenix, by comparison, had three players score at least 24 points.
That difference gave the Suns a stronger high-end offensive attack.
The key Charlotte numbers supplied for the game were:
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| LaMelo Ball | 22 | Not listed in supplied data | 6 |
| Miles Bridges | 16 | 7 | 1 |
| Kon Knueppel | 15 | 1 | 4 |
| Brandon Miller | 11 | 9 | Not listed in supplied data |
The official NBA box score confirms the scoring totals for Ball, Bridges, Knueppel and Miller, while the game recap identifies Ball as Charlotte’s leading scorer.
Phoenix Suns Player Leaders
Devin Booker was the most influential player on the floor.
He finished with 30 points and 10 assists, producing a double-double while also serving as Phoenix’s primary offensive organizer. His 10 assists are particularly significant because they show that his impact went beyond scoring.
Collin Gillespie added 24 points, including five made three-pointers on 10 attempts. Jalen Green also scored 24 points.
Rasheer Fleming provided an important bench contribution with 16 points and four made three-pointers.
The official box score shows Booker’s 30 points came from 7-of-18 shooting, 1-of-6 from three-point range, and a perfect 15-of-15 from the free-throw line. Gillespie shot 8-of-15 overall and 5-of-10 from three. Fleming shot 6-of-8 and made four of six attempts from long range.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Devin Booker | 30 | 3 | 10 |
| Collin Gillespie | 24 | 5 | 4 |
| Jalen Green | 24 | Not listed in supplied data | Not listed in supplied data |
| Rasheer Fleming | 16 | 2 | Not listed in supplied data |
One correction is important when reviewing the supplied game information: the official NBA box score lists Khaman Maluach as Phoenix’s leading rebounder with 9 rebounds, not Amir Coffey. Maluach also recorded 10 points and 2 blocks.
That distinction matters because accurate player-stat reporting should always prioritize the official box score when conflicting numbers appear.
Devin Booker Delivered the Complete Offensive Performance
Booker’s 30-point, 10-assist performance was the centerpiece of Phoenix’s victory.
What makes the game particularly interesting is that Booker was not highly efficient from three-point range. He made only 1 of 6 attempts from outside the arc. Instead, he generated substantial value through his overall shot profile and free throw production.
Booker made all 15 of his free throws.
That is a major factor in understanding the game.
Phoenix finished 23-of-26 from the free-throw line, an outstanding 88.5 percent. Charlotte, meanwhile, went only 10-of-15, or 66.7 percent.
The Suns therefore converted 13 more free throws than the Hornets.
That difference alone represents 13 points of additional scoring opportunity.
Booker’s 15-for-15 performance accounted for a large portion of that advantage.
His 10 assists also helped Phoenix avoid becoming overly dependent on difficult isolation possessions. When a primary scorer can create shots for teammates while still putting pressure on the defense, the opposing team has to defend multiple layers of the offense.
That was especially valuable late in the game.
LaMelo Ball Led Charlotte’s Offense
LaMelo Ball finished as Charlotte’s leading scorer with 22 points and added 6 assists.
His role was especially important because Charlotte needed reliable creation against a Phoenix defense that limited the Hornets to 99 total points.
Ball was one of the main reasons Charlotte remained competitive early.
The Hornets scored 30 points in the first quarter and 28 in the second, reaching 58 points by halftime. However, the offense slowed significantly after the break.
That makes Ball’s playmaking numbers important when assessing the game. Six assists indicate that he was not simply hunting his own shot. He was also responsible for creating opportunities for teammates.
Still, Phoenix’s ability to limit Charlotte’s overall offensive efficiency eventually became decisive.
Shooting Efficiency Explains Much of the Difference
One of the clearest statistical advantages belonged to Phoenix’s shooting.
Charlotte finished 37-of-88 from the field, which equals 42 percent.
Phoenix shot 36-of-79, or approximately 46 percent.
The raw field-goal totals are close. Phoenix made only one fewer field goal than Charlotte despite taking nine fewer attempts.
That is an important efficiency gap.
Charlotte needed 88 field-goal attempts to score 99 points. Phoenix needed only 79 attempts to score 111.
The difference becomes even clearer when three-point shooting is considered.
| Shooting Category | Charlotte | Phoenix |
| Field Goals | 37/88 | 36/79 |
| FG Percentage | 42% | 46% |
| Three-Pointers | 15/45 | 16/41 |
| Three-Point Percentage | 33% | 39% |
| Free Throws | 10/15 | 23/26 |
| Free-Throw Percentage | 67% | 88% |
Phoenix made one more three-pointer despite taking four fewer attempts.
The Suns also shot six percentage points better from three.
That combination of better overall shooting and substantially better free-throw conversion helped Phoenix score more efficiently.
The Free-Throw Gap Was a Major Difference
Free throws are sometimes overlooked when readers focus on field goals and three-pointers, but this game demonstrates why they matter.
Phoenix attempted 26 free throws and made 23.
Charlotte attempted 15 and made 10.
That created a 13-point difference in made free throws.
The Suns therefore gained a substantial scoring advantage without needing to create additional field-goal attempts.
Booker was central to this. His perfect 15-for-15 night at the line represented nearly two-thirds of Phoenix’s made free throws.
This also illustrates why evaluating a scorer only through field-goal percentage can be misleading.
Booker shot 7-of-18 from the field and only 1-of-6 from three. Those numbers do not look dominant in isolation. Yet he finished with 30 points because he consistently reached the foul line and converted every attempt.
His scoring efficiency came from multiple sources rather than just jump shooting.
Phoenix Won the Turnover Battle
Another major difference was ball security.
Charlotte committed 11 turnovers.
Phoenix committed only 6.
That gives the Suns a five-turnover advantage.
Turnovers matter because they remove scoring opportunities before a shot can even be attempted. They can also create transition chances for the opponent.
Phoenix’s ability to keep its turnover count at six helped preserve possessions and limited Charlotte’s opportunities to generate easy offense.
The official game summary also shows Phoenix produced 16 fast-break points compared with 10 for Charlotte.
This combination is telling.
Phoenix did not simply shoot better. The Suns also protected possessions more effectively and generated more transition scoring.
Rebounding Was Nearly Even
Rebounding did not decide this game in a major way.
Charlotte collected 41 rebounds.
Phoenix collected 40.
That one-rebound difference shows that the Suns did not win because they dominated the glass.
This is an important distinction.
When a game has a 12-point margin, it is tempting to search for one simple explanation. In this case, rebounding was not that explanation.
Instead, the stronger factors were shooting efficiency, free throws, turnovers, and fourth-quarter scoring.
Brandon Miller’s 9 rebounds were particularly useful for Charlotte. He was the team’s leading rebounder despite scoring only 11 points.
Phoenix’s Khaman Maluach led the Suns with 9 rebounds according to the official box score.
Both Teams Had 24 Assists
The assist totals were identical.
Charlotte recorded 24 assists.
Phoenix also recorded 24.
That makes the result more interesting because Phoenix did not win through a massive advantage in passing volume.
Instead, the difference was what happened after those possessions were created.
Phoenix converted its opportunities more efficiently.
Booker’s 10 assists were especially important within Phoenix’s 24-assist total. That means he was directly responsible for a substantial share of the team’s assisted scoring creation.
Charlotte’s 24 assists indicate that its offense was also capable of generating shared opportunities, but the Hornets struggled to maintain that production after halftime.
The Third Quarter Changed the Game
The third quarter was one of the most important sections of the contest.
Charlotte scored 19 points.
Phoenix scored 21.
At first glance, a two-point difference does not look dramatic.
The bigger issue was that Charlotte’s offense fell from 28 points in the second quarter to 19 in the third.
That nine-point drop slowed the Hornets’ momentum.
Phoenix did not need a huge offensive explosion. The Suns simply maintained enough production to extend their advantage while Charlotte’s scoring cooled.
The game entered the fourth quarter with Phoenix holding a manageable lead, but the Suns then produced 30 points.
Charlotte scored 22.
That eight-point fourth-quarter advantage effectively closed the door.
The lesson is that Phoenix won the game through sustained execution rather than one massive scoring run.
Phoenix’s Fourth-Quarter Execution Was Superior
The fourth quarter often exposes whether a team can maintain its offensive structure under pressure.
Phoenix scored 30 points in the final period.
Charlotte scored 22.
That eight-point difference was decisive.
The Suns continued converting shots, created opportunities through Booker and their supporting guards, and benefited from their superior free-throw shooting.
Charlotte, meanwhile, could not generate enough efficient offense to produce a comeback.
This is also why the halftime score deserves attention.
Phoenix led only 60-58 at halftime.
The final margin was 12 points.
Therefore, the Suns did most of their separation work after the game was essentially even.
Charlotte’s Road Winning Streak Came to an End
The result had significance beyond a single regular-season loss.
Charlotte entered the matchup with a 10-game road winning streak. The Suns ended that streak with their 111-99 victory.
The Associated Press recap published through NBA.com noted that Charlotte’s road winning streak had been the NBA’s longest since the Los Angeles Lakers won 11 consecutive road games during the 2019-20 season.
That context makes the Phoenix victory more meaningful.
Charlotte was not simply an ordinary road opponent. The Hornets had been playing strong basketball away from home.
Phoenix therefore deserves credit for handling a team that had demonstrated considerable road resilience.
What the Team Numbers Say About Charlotte
Charlotte’s statistical profile points toward several strengths and weaknesses.
Strength: Three-Point Volume
The Hornets attempted 45 three-pointers.
That was four more attempts than Phoenix.
Although Charlotte made only 15, the volume shows that the team was willing to use the perimeter as a major part of its offensive structure.
Strength: Rebounding
Charlotte won the rebounding battle 41-40.
It was a narrow advantage, but it prevented Phoenix from gaining extra possessions through a dominant performance on the glass.
Strength: Ball Movement
The Hornets recorded 24 assists.
That matches Phoenix’s total and indicates that Charlotte was capable of producing shared offensive opportunities.
Weakness: Free-Throw Efficiency
Charlotte made only 10 of 15 free throws.
A 66.7 percent conversion rate left points on the table.
Weakness: Turnovers
Eleven turnovers compared with six for Phoenix created a five-possession disadvantage.
Weakness: Late Scoring
Charlotte’s 19-point third quarter and 22-point fourth quarter were not enough against Phoenix’s consistent late-game production.
What the Team Numbers Say About Phoenix
Phoenix’s statistical profile was more balanced.
Strength: Shooting Efficiency
The Suns shot 46 percent overall and 39 percent from three.
Strength: Free Throws
Phoenix made 23 of 26 free throws.
That 88 percent range was one of the strongest numerical advantages of the game.
Strength: Ball Security
Only six turnovers allowed Phoenix to protect possessions.
Strength: Multiple Scorers
Booker scored 30.
Gillespie scored 24.
Jalen Green scored 24.
Fleming added 16.
That gave Phoenix four meaningful scoring contributors.
Strength: Fourth-Quarter Offense
The Suns scored 30 in the final quarter, creating the separation needed for the 12-point win.
A Closer Look at Collin Gillespie
Gillespie’s 24 points were extremely valuable because his production complemented Booker’s performance.
He shot 8-of-15 from the field and 5-of-10 from three.
That means he scored efficiently while also stretching the floor.
When Booker struggled from three, Gillespie supplied perimeter production.
That balance is one of the clearest reasons Phoenix did not become overly dependent on its star guard.
Gillespie also added 4 assists and 5 rebounds, according to the official box score.
His performance therefore had value in several areas rather than simply the scoring column.
Jalen Green’s 24 Points Added Another Layer
Jalen Green also scored 24 points.
Having two players besides Booker reach 24 points made Phoenix much harder to contain.
This matters because opposing defenses can sometimes survive a superstar’s scoring night by forcing secondary players into inefficient attempts.
That did not happen here.
Phoenix received enough production from its supporting scorers to keep Charlotte from loading all of its defensive attention onto Booker.
Rasheer Fleming Provided Important Bench Scoring
Fleming scored 16 points and made four three-pointers.
His 6-of-8 shooting performance was one of the most efficient individual shooting lines of the game.
He made 4 of 6 from three, giving Phoenix valuable spacing and bench production.
This is the type of performance that can be overlooked when a player like Booker scores 30, but it was meaningful.
Charlotte had to deal with offensive threats beyond Phoenix’s primary stars.
Brandon Miller’s Rebounding Stood Out
Miller scored 11 points but collected 9 rebounds.
His rebounding contribution was important because Charlotte needed production in multiple areas after Phoenix began controlling the game.
Miller’s scoring was not enough to match Phoenix’s top three scorers, but his work on the glass helped Charlotte remain competitive in the rebounding department.
The official game recap also notes that Miller scored all 11 of his points in the first half.
That detail provides additional context.
His offensive impact was front-loaded, while Charlotte needed more scoring after halftime.
Kon Knueppel’s Perimeter Struggles
Knueppel finished with 15 points, but his three-point shooting was inefficient.
He made 2 of 8 attempts from beyond the arc.
That is a 25 percent three-point rate.
The official NBA recap noted that Knueppel entered the game as the league leader in made three-pointers for the season, which makes the 2-for-8 performance particularly notable in the context of this matchup.
Charlotte needed perimeter scoring from several players, but the team could not convert enough of those opportunities to keep pace with Phoenix.
Miles Bridges Provided Secondary Scoring
Bridges scored 16 points on 7-of-16 shooting.
He also collected 7 rebounds and recorded 1 assist.
His 43.8 percent shooting was close to Charlotte’s overall 42 percent field-goal rate.
That made Bridges a reasonably efficient secondary scorer, although Charlotte needed more total offensive production from the group around Ball.
Why the Final Score Can Be Misleading
A 12-point final margin can make a game appear one-sided.
It was not.
The halftime score was 60-58.
Charlotte won the opening quarter.
The game remained within reach entering the fourth.
Phoenix simply executed better as the game progressed.
That distinction matters for anyone studying the charlotte hornets vs phoenix suns match player stats for fantasy analysis, historical research, matchup evaluation, or sports content.
The game was decided by a series of smaller advantages rather than one overwhelming statistical category.
Phoenix had:
- Better overall field-goal percentage
- Better three-point percentage
- Much better free-throw shooting
- Five fewer turnovers
- More fourth-quarter points
- Three players with at least 24 points
Charlotte had:
- More three-point attempts
- One more rebound
- The same number of assists
- A strong first half
- Four double-figure scorers
The Suns simply converted their advantages more effectively.
The Most Important Numbers at a Glance
| Category | Charlotte | Phoenix | Edge |
| Final Score | 99 | 111 | Phoenix |
| FG% | 42% | 46% | Phoenix |
| 3PT% | 33% | 39% | Phoenix |
| FT% | 67% | 88% | Phoenix |
| Rebounds | 41 | 40 | Charlotte |
| Assists | 24 | 24 | Even |
| Turnovers | 11 | 6 | Phoenix |
| Steals | 1 | 5 | Phoenix |
| Blocks | 6 | 5 | Charlotte |
The table shows why Phoenix won despite Charlotte holding small advantages in rebounds and blocks.
The Suns were more efficient in the areas that directly affected scoring and possession value.
How to Read These Stats Correctly
A useful way to analyze a basketball box score is to avoid treating every statistic equally.
Points tell you who scored.
Field-goal percentage tells you how efficiently shots were converted.
Three-point percentage shows perimeter accuracy.
Free throws reveal another source of scoring efficiency.
Turnovers show how well a team protected possessions.
Assists provide context about offensive creation.
Rebounds show control of missed-shot opportunities.
No single number completely explains a game.
In this matchup, the combination of several categories tells a much stronger story.
Phoenix’s advantage was built through efficiency and possession control.
What Fantasy Basketball Readers Can Take From the Game
For fantasy basketball analysis, the game offers several useful observations.
Booker’s 30 points and 10 assists represent the most complete fantasy performance among the featured players.
Gillespie’s 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists provide a strong all-around line.
Maluach’s 9 rebounds, 10 points and 2 blocks demonstrate the value of frontcourt contributions that may not dominate the scoring column.
For Charlotte, Ball’s 22 points and 6 assists made him the team’s most productive offensive player.
Miller’s 9 rebounds also added value beyond his 11 points.
However, fantasy interpretation should always distinguish one-game production from long-term expectations. A single matchup is useful for understanding roles and usage, but it should not automatically be treated as a prediction of future statistical output.
Historical and Season Context
The game was significant because Phoenix moved ahead in the season series 1-0.
It was also important for Charlotte because the loss ended a 10-game road winning streak.
The Suns entered with a 37-27 record and a strong 22-13 home mark.
Charlotte entered at 32-33 with an 18-16 road record.
Those records help explain why the matchup had competitive value.
It was a meeting between two teams with meaningful postseason ambitions, rather than a matchup where one side was clearly out of contention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who led the Charlotte Hornets in scoring against the Phoenix Suns?
LaMelo Ball led Charlotte with 22 points. He also recorded 6 assists.
Who led the Phoenix Suns in scoring?
Devin Booker led all Phoenix scorers with 30 points. He also recorded 10 assists.
What was the final score between the Hornets and Suns?
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Charlotte Hornets 111-99.
How many three-pointers did each team make?
Phoenix made 16 three-pointers on 41 attempts, while Charlotte made 15 on 45 attempts.
Which team had more turnovers?
Charlotte had 11 turnovers, while Phoenix had 6.
Who was Phoenix’s leading rebounder?
According to the official NBA box score, Khaman Maluach led Phoenix with 9 rebounds.
Conclusion
The charlotte hornets vs phoenix suns match player stats show that Phoenix’s 111-99 victory was built on efficiency, possession control, and stronger late-game execution.
Devin Booker was the headline performer with 30 points and 10 assists, while Collin Gillespie and Jalen Green each added 24 points. Rasheer Fleming supplied efficient bench scoring with 16 points.
Charlotte received 22 points and 6 assists from LaMelo Ball, 16 points from Miles Bridges, 15 from Kon Knueppel, and 11 from Brandon Miller. Miller also led the Hornets with 9 rebounds.
The team numbers reveal an even more detailed story. Charlotte actually won the rebounding battle 41-40 and matched Phoenix with 24 assists. However, the Suns shot better from the field, shot better from three, converted free throws at a much higher rate, and committed five fewer turnovers.
The free-throw difference was especially important. Phoenix made 23 of 26 attempts, while Charlotte converted only 10 of 15. Booker alone went 15-for-15 from the line.
The game was also much closer than the final margin suggests. Charlotte led after the opening quarter and trailed by only two points at halftime. Phoenix separated itself after the break, particularly in the fourth quarter, when the Suns scored 30 points against Charlotte’s 22.
For anyone studying this matchup, the biggest takeaway is that the box score needs to be read as a complete picture. Phoenix did not dominate every statistical category. Instead, the Suns won the categories that most directly translated into efficient scoring and preserved possessions.
The official NBA game record is the best primary reference for verifying the final score, player totals, shooting figures, and official box-score information. official NBA box score
