Charles Lee explains LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller minutes
The Charlotte Hornets may only be 6-14 on the season, but Saturday night felt like progress. In a fierce battle for overtime, Charlotte snapped the Toronto Raptors’ nine-game winning streak. earning a 118-111 victory behind a tremendous performance from Miles Bridges and a steady late-game composure from their young core.
Bridges finished with 35 points, including 10 in overtime, while LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller helped calm the offense in their first back-to-back action in weeks.
But despite both being key closers, neither saw a typical full workload.
After the win, head coach Charles Lee addressed the notables minute restrictions on Ball and Miller, making it clear the Hornets are prioritizing long-term health over short-term urgency.
“We’ll see how he recovers after the first match in a while,” Lee said. “You just have to keep the process in mind, the long-term vision, even when you’re in these moments.”
Ball, averaging 19.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 8.5 assists this season, posted controlled stretches while focusing on pace and rhythm rather than volume.
Miller, who is emerging as a secondary scoring threat with 17.0 points per game in six appearances, has also played under scrutiny.
Lee highlighted the maturity of both players, noting their willingness to embrace the approach rather than push for tougher minutes.
“We want to win every game, obviously, and those two guys help you do that,” Lee continued. “But we have really good depth, so you rely on that depth at times like this.”
That depth showed: Kon Knuepel remained stable with 18.4 points per game in 20 outings, while the team’s role players defended and executed late.
Even with the loss, the Hornets are showing signs of a healthier identity, based on patience, controlled development and structure.
If Ball and Miller continue to improve physically while the supporting cast continues to deliver, Saturday’s win may not be a one-off, but the start of a turning point.
2025-11-30 11:33:00
