Charlotte Hornets Secure No. 9 Seed with Victory Over New York Knicks

This victory allowed the Hornets to clinch the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference and secure a home game in the upcoming play-in tournament.

Coby White also scored 19 points for the Hornets, who will face the No. 10 Miami Heat in the play-in tournament. To advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, the Hornets must win that game and then defeat the loser of the 7-8 matchup.

Knicks Rest Key Players

With the Knicks already locked into the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, several key players, including Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby, did not participate in the game. Mikal Bridges was the only starter to play, appearing for just 23 seconds to extend his consecutive games played streak to 638, which ranks eighth in NBA history.

Playoff Outlook for Knicks

The Knicks will compete against the No. 6 seed Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs. Deuce McBride led the Knicks in scoring with 21 points, while Jose Alvarado added 16 points, helping New York finish the regular season with a record of 53-29.

Record-Setting Rookie Performance

Kon Knueppel, a rookie for the Hornets, scored 14 points, including three 3-pointers. He set a rookie record with 273 3-pointers made during the season, leading the NBA in this category. This impressive performance places him in contention for the Rookie of the Year award alongside his Duke teammate, Cooper Flagg.

Hornets’ Strong Finish to the Season

The Hornets concluded the regular season with a 44-38 record, having won 17 of their last 21 road games. Their successful performance has positioned them well for the upcoming play-in tournament.

Injury Update on Anunoby

OG Anunoby, who sprained his left ankle during the Knicks’ victory over Toronto on Friday, was not in the lineup. Coach Mike Brown mentioned that he did not inquire about Anunoby’s potential to play, as the team considered him day-to-day.