Cold Shooting Dooms Hornets in Second Straight Loss

The Charlotte Hornets recently experienced a significant downturn, losing their second consecutive game to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night. This defeat followed a Friday loss to the Miami Heat, ending a promising six-game winning streak and pushing the Hornets back below a .500 winning percentage.

The team's offensive struggles were notably linked to a decrease in shot attempts by Brandon Miller. His average of 11.7 shots over his last three games, down from his earlier season average, impacted the offense's effectiveness. Consequently, Miles Bridges took on a larger shooting load, but his performance, including a 1-of-6 mark from three-point range, did not compensate.

A critical factor in Sunday's loss was the Hornets' unusually cold shooting from beyond the arc. As a team that often leads the league in three-point percentage, their 15-of-45 performance from deep was a significant departure from recent form. This lack of outside shooting proved to be a major obstacle, contributing to the team's inability to secure a win and improve their standing.

Despite a solid effort from LaMelo Ball, who scored 22 points, no single player delivered a standout performance to lift the team. A decisive 12-2 run by the Phoenix Suns in the fourth quarter ultimately sealed the victory, marking a disappointing end to the Hornets' road trip.