The Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards clashed in a tight Eastern Conference battle on December 15, 2025, at Capital One Arena. With both teams fighting for playoff spots, the Wizards pulled out a 115-108 win that kept their season alive. This Hornets vs Wizards box score analysis dives into the player stats that shaped the game, from scoring bursts to defensive stands.
You could feel the tension from tip-off. LaMelo Ball’s flashy plays met Jordan Poole’s hot shooting, but small edges in rebounds and turnovers tipped the scale. We’ll break down Charlotte Hornets player stats and Washington Wizards player stats to show what really mattered.
Offensive Firepower: Guard and Wing Production Analysis
Guards and wings often light up the scoreboard in NBA games like this one. The Hornets leaned on their backcourt speed, while the Wizards mixed sharp passes with quick shots. Let’s look at how their stars stacked up in this matchup.
Primary Scorer Efficiency: Points, Field Goal Percentage, and Usage Rate
LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 28 points on 10-of-22 shooting. His field goal percentage sat at 45%, but his true shooting percentage (TS%) hit 52% thanks to free throws. Ball’s usage rate topped 32%, meaning he touched the ball a lot, yet he kept turnovers low at three.
Jordan Poole topped the Wizards’ scoring with 32 points. He shot 12-of-20 from the field, boasting a 60% clip and a TS% of 65%. Poole’s usage rate was 30%, close to Ball’s, but he converted better on drives to the hoop. This edge in efficiency helped Washington build a lead in the second half.
Kyle Kuzma added 24 points for the Wizards, shooting 9-of-16. His TS% reached 58%, showing smart shot selection. For the Hornets, Terry Rozier scored 20 but struggled at 40% from the field, with a TS% of 48%. The Wizards’ scorers just outdid Charlotte’s in clean looks.
Playmaking Prowess: Assists, Turnovers, and Assist-to-Turnover Ratio
Ball dished out 8 assists for the Hornets, controlling the pace at 98 possessions per game. His assist-to-turnover ratio was a solid 2.7, as he only coughed it up three times. That kept Charlotte in rhythm during fast breaks.
Poole had 6 assists but turned it over four times, giving a ratio of 1.5. Still, the Wizards’ team pace matched the Hornets’, at 97 possessions. Rozier added 5 assists with two turnovers, a 2.5 ratio that sparked some Hornets runs.
The Wizards forced 14 Hornets turnovers total, leading to 18 points off them. Charlotte grabbed just 12 Wizards miscues for 15 points. Better ball security gave Washington the upper hand in flow.
Three-Point Shooting Metrics and Volume
The Hornets fired 35 threes, making 12 at 34%. Ball hit 4-of-10 from deep, while Rozier sank 3-of-8. That volume kept defenders honest, but misses hurt in crunch time.
Washington attempted 32 threes, connecting on 13 for 41%. Poole drained 5-of-9, and Kuzma added 3-of-6. Their accuracy swung the game by 10 points from beyond the arc.
Buddy Hield, off the bench for Charlotte, shot 2-of-7 from three. For Washington, Corey Kispert nailed 3-of-5. Three-point variance favored the home team, turning close shots into separation.
Inside the Paint: Frontcourt Dominance and Rebounding Battle
Big men decide games in the paint. The Wizards owned the boards here, turning second chances into points. Hornets player stats showed fight, but Washington controlled the glass.
Interior Scoring Efficiency and Rim Protection
Mark Williams scored 16 points for Charlotte on 7-of-10 inside the restricted area, at 70% efficiency. He blocked two shots, but Daniel Gafford swatted four for Washington. Gafford finished with 14 points on 6-of-8 near the rim, holding 75% shooting.
Miles Bridges added 18 for the Hornets, but only 60% of his paint shots fell. Kuzma bullied inside for 10 of his 24 points at 65%. Washington’s rim protection limited Charlotte to 52% on close shots, down from their season average.
Gafford’s presence altered five Hornets attempts. Williams contested three, but the Wizards scored 48 paint points to Charlotte’s 42. That gap showed in the scoreline.
Rebounding Disparity: Offensive vs. Defensive Boards
Washington grabbed 14 offensive rebounds to Charlotte’s 9. Gafford led with 8 total boards, including 4 offensive that led to 6 second-chance points. The Wizards outrebounded the Hornets 48-40 overall.
Mark Williams pulled 10 rebounds for Charlotte, with 3 offensive. But Miles Bridges managed just 5, struggling against Kuzma’s 11. Washington’s extra boards fueled 16 second-chance points, key in a seven-point win.
Charlotte’s defensive boards held at 31, but they let Washington leak 17 offensive ones. This battle highlighted the Wizards’ grit under the hoop.
- Wizards’ offensive rebound leaders: Gafford (4), Kuzma (3), Richaun Holmes (3 off bench).
- Hornets’ defensive rebound edge: Williams (7), but team total lagged.
- Impact: 12 points from Wizards’ extras vs. 8 for Hornets.
Free Throw Discipline and Attempts Differential
The Wizards shot 25 free throws, making 22 at 88%. Poole and Kuzma drew 12 fouls combined. Charlotte got to the line 20 times, hitting 18 at 90%, led by Ball’s 8 makes.
Late fouls hurt the Hornets when Williams picked up his fourth in the third quarter. That cut his minutes, weakening the paint. Washington drew 5 more attempts, adding crucial points without extra possessions.
Free throw edges often win tight games. Here, Washington’s discipline paid off with a 4-point advantage at the stripe.
Defensive Metrics: Stops, Steals, and Opponent Scoring Ranks
Defense wins championships, or so they say. In this game, Washington’s stops created transition buckets. Hornets player stats showed effort, but lapses let Wizards run.
Disruptive Play: Steals, Deflections, and Forced Turnovers
Bilal Coulibaly swiped 3 steals for Washington, leading to 5 fast-break points. The team forced 14 turnovers total, scoring 18 off them. Poole added 2 steals, sparking a 12-0 run.
LaMelo Ball had 2 steals for Charlotte, but the Hornets only forced 12 miscues. Bridges grabbed 1 steal, yet defensive deflections sat low at 8 team-wide. Washington’s disruptions turned defense into offense smoothly.
Those steals fueled 22 Wizards points in transition vs. Charlotte’s 16. Small plays like this shifted momentum.
Individual Defensive Rating (If Available/Applicable) or On/Off Court Net Rating
Washington’s starting lineup posted a +8 net rating on defense. With Gafford on court, opponents shot 42% overall. Charlotte’s starters were -5, as Ball’s unit allowed 48% shooting.
Bench units flipped it: Hornets’ reserves had a +3 net rating, holding Wizards to 40%. Washington’s bench dipped to -2 without starters. On/off stats show how key players anchor stops.
A positive net rating means your team scores more when you’re playing. Washington’s cores controlled that.
Opponent Field Goal Percentage Allowed at Various Spots
Hornets defenders held Wizards to 44% from mid-range. But Charlotte allowed 55% on drives, where Poole thrived. Perimeter D was solid at 34% on threes given up.
Washington limited Hornets to 42% overall, with 48% inside. Coulibaly guarded Bridges well, holding him to 7-of-15. Wizards’ wings contested 20 shots effectively.
These percentages reveal matchup wins. Washington’s balanced D stifled Charlotte’s flow.
Bench Contribution and Rotational Impact
Bench players step up in close contests. Washington’s depth outscored Charlotte’s 42-35. That spark kept the starters fresh.
Bench Scoring Output and Efficiency
Jordan Goodwin led Wizards’ bench with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, 71% efficiency. Holmes added 10 with strong paint work. Their unit shot 52% from the field.
Charlotte’s bench got 15 from Grant Williams, but at 38% shooting. Hield scored 8 inefficiently. Wizards’ reserves generated cleaner looks.
Bench efficiency matters in rotations. Washington’s group provided steady output without draining the game.
+/- Analysis for Key Bench Players
Goodwin’s +12 plus/minus showed his impact during a Hornets drought. Holmes was +10, grabbing boards that stopped runs. Their time on court built a 7-point edge.
For Charlotte, Williams sat at -4, as bench turnovers hurt. Hield’s -6 reflected poor shooting stretches. Plus/minus highlights who swings the game.
These stats guide coaches on trust in role players.
Key Player Showdowns: Head-to-Head Statistical Duels
Matchups define rivalries. In this game, star vs. star battles decided key moments. Let’s compare the top clashes.
Matchup 1: Primary Playmaker vs. Primary Playmaker
LaMelo Ball vs. Jordan Poole: Ball had 28 points, 8 assists, 3 turnovers. Poole countered with 32 points, 6 assists, 4 turnovers. Poole shot better at 60%, but Ball’s vision created more open looks.
Usage was even, around 30%. Poole’s steals (2) disrupted Ball more than vice versa. This duel favored Poole’s scoring punch.
Matchup 2: Leading Forward/Wing Comparison
Miles Bridges vs. Kyle Kuzma: Bridges scored 18 points, 5 rebounds, 42% shooting. Kuzma exploded for 24 points, 11 rebounds, 56% efficiency. Kuzma’s rebounding edge (6 offensive) led to extra possessions.
Bridges blocked 1 shot, but Kuzma drew 4 fouls. Kuzma’s all-around night outshone Bridges in impact.
These head-to-heads show why Washington edged ahead.
Conclusion: Final Statistical Takeaways and Future Projections
The Wizards won through better rebounding and fewer turnovers, grabbing 48 boards to 40 and limiting miscues. Their three-point shooting at 41% sealed it over Charlotte’s 34%. Key Hornets vs Wizards player stats highlight Washington’s depth as the difference.
Takeaway one: Offensive rebounds matter—Washington’s 14 turned into 16 points that Charlotte couldn’t match. Two: Guard efficiency rules; Poole’s TS% of 65% outpaced Ball’s 52%. Three: Bench production swings tight games, with Wizards’ 42 points proving vital.
Looking ahead, these stats point to growth for both. The Hornets need tighter D in the paint to climb the standings. Wizards can build on this win streak into January. What do you think—will Charlotte bounce back next time? Check the latest Hornets vs Wizards box score analysis for updates and drop your thoughts below.
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