The NBA is a weird place sometimes. One night you’re watching a defensive grind, and the next, you’re witnessing two teams basically refuse to miss. That’s exactly what went down on December 22, 2025. Honestly, if you blinked during the second half of the Hornets vs Cavs last game, you probably missed about four three-pointers and a lead change.
The Cleveland Cavaliers eventually walked away with a 139-132 win at Rocket Arena. It wasn't pretty for the defense-first purists. But for anyone who likes high-octane basketball? It was a masterpiece.
The Mitchell and Garland Show
Donovan Mitchell is just different. He finished the night with 30 points, but it was the way he got them. He ended the first half by banking in a 28-foot prayer at the buzzer. That shot gave Cleveland a 70-63 lead and shifted the entire energy of the building.
He didn't do it alone, though. Darius Garland looked like he was playing a video game, carving up the Charlotte perimeter defense for 27 points and 10 assists. When those two are clicking like that, they’re almost impossible to stop. It felt like every time Charlotte made a run, Garland would find a seam or Mitchell would pull up from the logo.
Charlotte’s Young Core Shows Teeth
You’ve gotta give credit to the Hornets. They fell to 9-20 after this one, but they didn’t play like a cellar-dweller. LaMelo Ball was flamethrowing early. He hit three triples in the first quarter alone, eventually finishing with 23 points and nine assists.
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But the real story for Charlotte fans lately is the rookie, Kon Knueppel. The guy is a professional scorer already. He dropped 20 points, showing a level of poise that you just don't see from most first-year players. Between him and Brandon Miller—who also chipped in 20—the Hornets actually have a future that doesn't look totally bleak.
Why the Hornets vs Cavs Last Game Flipped in the Third
Games like this usually hinge on one or two weird sequences. For this matchup, it was the De’Andre Hunter incident. Early in the third, Hunter got caught in the face by Moussa Diabate. It was a flagrant foul, and Hunter was visibly bloodied.
Most guys might head to the locker room. Hunter stayed on the floor.
He wiped off the blood, drained both free throws, and then buried a transition three on the very next possession. That five-point swing was the catalyst for a Cleveland run that pushed the lead to 98-85. Charlotte spent the rest of the night chasing.
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The Moussa Diabate "Moose" Factor
Even in a loss, Moussa Diabate was a bright spot for the Buzz City faithful. With Mason Plumlee exiting early due to groin soreness, "The Moose" had to step up. He was a monster on the glass, hauling in 14 rebounds.
Six of those were on the offensive end. He also added a career-high six steals. You don't often see a backup center disrupting passing lanes like a free safety, but Diabate was everywhere.
Breaking Down the Box Score
The final score of 139-132 tells you most of what you need to know.
- Cleveland’s Efficiency: The Cavs shot the lights out, especially from deep.
- Bench Production: De’Andre Hunter’s 27 points were massive, especially with 15 of those coming in a high-pressure second half.
- The Bench Mob: Charlotte’s Liam McNeeley made a late push, scoring 7 points in just six minutes of fourth-quarter action to make the score look a bit more respectable.
Cleveland needed this win badly. They had dropped three straight games coming into this and were looking shaky at home. This win moved them to 16-14, keeping them firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt.
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What to Watch for Next Time
If you're looking for actionable takeaways from the Hornets vs Cavs last game, focus on the health of the bigs. Mason Plumlee’s injury is a concern for a Charlotte team that already lacks depth inside. If he’s out for a while, expect a lot more minutes for Diabate.
For Cleveland, the chemistry between Mitchell, Garland, and Hunter is reaching a peak. When Hunter is scoring 20+, this team is a different beast entirely.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Monitor Injury Reports: Check the status of Mason Plumlee’s groin injury before the next Charlotte game; it’ll dictate their defensive rotations.
- Watch the Rookie: Keep an eye on Kon Knueppel's betting overs for points. He's becoming a primary option in this offense.
- Check the Standings: Cleveland is currently fighting for a top-6 seed to avoid the play-in tournament; every win against sub-.500 teams like Charlotte is mandatory for them.