Basketball is funny sometimes. You think you know how a game is going to go, especially when one team is basically a walking infirmary and the other has one of the hottest rookies in the league. But the hornets vs magic last game on December 26, 2025, threw the script out the window. It was a 120-105 victory for Charlotte, but the score alone doesn't tell you half of what actually went down at the Kia Center.
The Magic were favorites. They usually take care of business against teams with losing records, yet they looked a step slow all night. Maybe it was the holiday hangover, or maybe it was just the sheer impact of missing Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs. Whatever it was, the Hornets smelled blood early.
The Kon Knueppel Rollercoaster
If you haven't been following Kon Knueppel, you're missing out. The kid is a flamethrower. In the first quarter alone, he looked like the best player on the floor, period. He went a perfect 4-for-4 from deep and racked up 16 points before some fans had even found their seats. It was a masterclass in movement shooting.
Then, the mood in the arena shifted.
Knueppel went down with a right ankle injury in the second quarter. You could hear a pin drop. For a Charlotte team that has struggled to find consistent wing scoring alongside Brandon Miller, seeing their prize rookie limp off was gut-wrenching. The initial fear was a long-term setback, but Coach Charles Lee later mentioned that X-rays were negative. Still, losing your leading scorer for the night usually spells disaster.
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Instead, it woke the Hornets up.
LaMelo Ball and the "Efficiency" Problem
LaMelo Ball finished with 22 points and seven rebounds. On paper? Great. If you watched the game? It was a bit of a grind. He shot 7-of-20 from the field. Orlando’s defense, even without Suggs, is incredibly physical. They bump you at the level of the screen and make every entry pass a chore. Ball was just 4-of-12 in the first half and looked frustrated by the Magic’s length.
But superstars find a way.
In the fourth quarter, Ball stopped settling for the contested hero-balls and started picking the defense apart. He finished with five assists, but it felt like ten. He orchestrated a 16-4 run in the third quarter that essentially buried Orlando. It wasn't his prettiest game, but it was one of his most "adult" performances.
Orlando’s Shorthanded Struggle
Honestly, you have to feel for Jamahl Mosley. It’s hard to win in the NBA when your primary playmakers are watching from the bench in hoodies. Anthony Black did his best to carry the load, putting up 24 points and showing why he was a high lottery pick. He’s aggressive, he’s tall, and he’s starting to figure out how to use his frame to get to the cup.
But who else was going to score?
Desmond Bane had 15 points and 10 boards, but he never really found his rhythm. Wendell Carter Jr. added 16, but the Magic lacked that "gravity" that Franz Wagner provides. Without Wagner to collapse the defense, the Hornets just stayed home on shooters and dared Orlando to beat them one-on-one. They couldn't.
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The Rebounding Gap Nobody Expected
This is where the game was actually won. Usually, Orlando dominates the glass. They are big, mean, and athletic. But in the hornets vs magic last game, Charlotte won the rebounding battle 53-42.
- Moussa Diabate: 10 points, 13 rebounds.
- Miles Bridges: 16 points, 11 rebounds.
- Tidjane Salaun: Provided a massive spark of energy off the bench.
When you allow a team like the Hornets to get second-chance points, you’re asking for a blowout. Charlotte shot nearly 49% from three-point range, which is a lethal combination when paired with dominant rebounding. Collin Sexton also decided to turn into prime Steph Curry for a four-minute stretch in the third, hitting three triples that pushed the lead to 24.
Why This Game Matters for the Rest of 2026
The Hornets are a weird team. They came into this game 11-20, looking like they were headed for another high draft pick. But they showed a level of grit in Orlando that we haven't seen much of lately. They defended. They shared the ball. They didn't fold when their best rookie went down.
For the Magic, this was a wake-up call about their depth. They’ve been one of the best stories in the Eastern Conference, but they are vulnerable when the injury bug bites. They need Wagner and Suggs back, or they’re going to slide down the standings fast.
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What to Watch for Next
If you’re looking to bet on or follow these teams in the coming weeks, keep an eye on two specific things. First, the status of Kon Knueppel’s ankle. If he’s out for a month, Charlotte’s spacing disappears. Second, look at Orlando's defensive rotations. They gave up way too many open corner threes to Miles Bridges and Grant Williams.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the Injury Report 30 Minutes Before Tip: As we saw in this game, the absence of two starters (Wagner/Suggs) completely changed the Magic's identity.
- Monitor the Hornets' Rebounding Trends: If Diabate continues to play 20+ minutes and crash the glass, the Hornets are a much better "underdog" bet than the oddsmakers think.
- Watch the Rookies: Kon Knueppel is legit. Even in limited minutes, his impact on the floor's geometry is massive.
The next time these two meet on January 22, expect a much different vibe—especially if the Magic are back at full strength. But for one night in December, Charlotte owned the Kia Center.