“Totally, we can compete with anyone!”

ByNBAUSA


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This is the surprise of the evening: Hornets win after overtime against the Raptors, while Scotty Barnes’ teammates remained on a nine-game winning streak. Success with 35 points from Miles Bridges, including 10 in overtime, but also a rookie 20 points Knuppel couldthe author of the decisive three-pointer 10 seconds from the end of the 4th quarter.

“Obviously we designed the system and I was the first option” says Knuepel. “I stood out first. Zion (James) looked away a little bit at the start, then he saw that I was open and he made a pass to me. We talked about it a little earlier with Grant (Williams), I mean the previous possession, before we took a timeout and got the system out: we told ourselves that it was a good time to defend, maybe to attack. You see I do a little feint, but because he doesn’t jump, I shoot and I’m happy that went in.”

At the time, Knuepel “saved the life” of Miles Bridges who was angry that he had missed a free throw just before. “Myles was amazing tonight. His pace, especially in overtime, was really good. I think he’s exaggerating a little bit when he says I saved his life because he still scored 35 points! But yeah, he was mad about missing that free throw…”

Almost the entire workforce

What you also have to remember is that this is the second win the Hornets have stolen in the closing moments. Before that, the team lost five games in a row in the final minutes. “It’s clear that it’s good… In the first matches we didn’t do things the way we wanted at the end of the game. In the last two we didn’t lose the ball in the money time, we managed to shoot, stop and rebound…”

Enough to fuel big ambitions for the future, especially since the infirmary is empty. Charles Lee can therefore rely on his five, and the rookie believes that he changes a lot. “Overall, I think we can compete with any team! I think we’ve shown that in a few games already, even without everyone. It shows the level of competitiveness of the group. But it’s good to have everyone back … and we can’t wait for Josh Green and Grant Williams to come back as well.”




2025-11-30 07:50:00

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