Mark Williams of the Hornets celebrates Core 4 after the Jazz win

The Charlotte Hornets stole the win on road vs. Utah Jazz, 117-112. This victory was fueled by what fans and the media like to call the core four. The group that includes LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Mark Williams and Miles Bridges combined for 103 points.

Mark Williams reacts to the Hornets’ win over the Jazz

After the game, Williams reflects on the performance of the foursome.

“Yes, I think the four of us, well I mean really all of us, are capable of such a night.” Obviously, the four of us were able to do it in the scoring column, but I think everyone is capable of doing whatever it takes to win. Tonight there happened to be four of us. I’m glad we won tonight.”

Williams dropped a record 31 points, 13 rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot. He impacted the game on both ends of the floor for the Hornets. This was his encore after scoring 24 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in a win over the Phoenix Suns. His game seems to be peaking at the right time.

Mark Williams thanks his teammates for his big night

Of course, when it comes to big individual performances, the right thing to do is to give credit to your teammates. Just like Williams did here.

“I think it’s just my teammates,” Williams said of his career in Utah. “I set some good screens and when I play, they find me. I can finish around the rim or make them good shots, and we did enough to win tonight. I’m in the right place and they’re finding me.”

What the Core Four Means for the Hornets

The Core Four nickname is a nod to the late 1990s New York Yankees “Core Four” of Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, and Marian Rivera, and it’s clear when Ball, Miller, Williams, and Bridges are healthy, this Hornets team has tremendous potential .

Ball is headed to the All-Star Game as a potential starter in the Eastern Conference, and Miller is an elite two-way player in the making. Most nights, these two will be the most consistent guys on the Hornets roster, but whenever everyone gets involved, the game will be easier.

All the emphasis is only on health. The Core Four played in four straight games and went 2-2. That’s something positive to build on as the Hornets continue to try to put together a winning streak as the season continues to wind down. The win over Utah was Charlotte’s ninth of the season.

The reality of the Hornets until the end of the season

Charlotte would have to tear herself up to get into the window to play within the tournament. So at this point in the season for them, evaluating their young talent is the goal. It was hard to see how good this team could be if they had all of their leading horses, so over the next few months the front office has a chance to see how those guys come together.

As long as they have a good chunk of health, there is plenty to evaluate and see what they can add to the team in the future.