OKLAHOMA CITY \u2014 Brandon Miller scored 28 points and the Charlotte Hornets stunned the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder 124-97 on Monday night.<\/p>\n
Kon Knueppel added 23 points for the Hornets, who had lost three of four before handing Oklahoma City its worst loss of the season. It was a season-low point total for the Thunder and the only time they have failed to score 100 points.<\/p>\n
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points for his 108th straight game with at least 20, the second-longest streak in NBA history. He made just 7 of 21 field goals, and while he’s known for sitting out fourth quarters because the Thunder are far ahead, he sat out the fourth this time because they were so far behind.<\/p>\n
It was Oklahoma City’s second straight loss and second home defeat of the season. The defending NBA champions started 24-1 but now are 30-7.<\/p>\n
Charlotte ran out to an early 21-9 lead, but the Thunder, led by Ajay Mitchell’s 10 points off the bench, tied the game at 33 by the end of the first period.<\/p>\n
Charlotte regained momentum in the second and went up 67-50 at halftime. Miller scored 19 points before the break. Oklahoma City made just 8 of 15 free throws in the first half. Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s No. 2 scorer, was held to nine points on 3-for-12 shooting through two quarters.<\/p>\n
Early in the third quarter, Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball caught a ball that was heading out of bounds, then made a circus shot from the corner with a foot on the 3-point line while standing on one leg to push Charlotte’s lead to 74-55.<\/p>\n
Miller’s 3-pointer as time expired in the third extended Charlotte’s lead to 99-71, and the Hornets remained in control from there.<\/p>\n
Hornets: Host the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Thunder: Host the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
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