The Phoenix Suns secured a hard-fought 101-96 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, November 12, 2026, behind an outstanding performance from Devin Booker. Booker finished with 30 points, seven assists and three steals to help Phoenix overcome Charlotte in a competitive NBA matchup at Mortgage Matchup Center.
The Hornets vs Suns game featured several momentum changes, but Phoenix delivered a strong fourth-quarter performance to protect its home court. The victory improved the Suns’ record to 5-6, while the Hornets dropped to 4-8 following another difficult road result.
The matchup also marked Miles Bridges’ first game against Charlotte since his move to Phoenix, adding another storyline to an already interesting contest.
Hornets vs Suns Final Score and Game Summary
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Charlotte Hornets 101-96 after taking control during the final quarter.
Charlotte started the game competitively, scoring 22 points in the opening period. Phoenix responded with 28 points to establish an early advantage. The Hornets then scored 28 points in the second quarter, keeping the contest close heading into halftime.
Phoenix held a 55-50 lead at the break. Charlotte continued its comeback attempt in the third quarter, outscoring the Suns 26-17 to take an 76-72 advantage into the final period.
However, Devin Booker and the Suns responded when it mattered most. Phoenix scored 29 points in the fourth quarter while limiting Charlotte to just 20, completing the five-point victory.
Hornets vs Suns Box Score
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Hornets | 22 | 28 | 26 | 20 | 96 |
| Phoenix Suns | 28 | 27 | 17 | 29 | 101 |
Phoenix finished with a 5-6 record, while Charlotte moved to 4-8 in the 2026-27 NBA season.
Devin Booker Leads Phoenix Suns With 30 Points
Devin Booker was the biggest difference-maker in the Suns vs Hornets matchup.
The Phoenix superstar scored 30 points on 12-of-20 shooting from the field, including four three-pointers. He also contributed seven assists, three steals and one block while committing only two turnovers.
Booker’s scoring and playmaking helped Phoenix regain control after Charlotte took the lead in the third quarter.
Dillon Brooks added 15 points for the Suns, shooting 6-of-13 from the field and knocking down three three-pointers. Grayson Allen contributed 14 points and six assists for Charlotte, while Jordan Green finished with 12 points.
Miles Bridges recorded 11 points, six rebounds and three assists against his former team. His return against Charlotte was one of the notable storylines of the night.
Collin Gillespie also provided an important contribution off the bench, finishing with 13 points.
Charlotte Hornets vs Phoenix Suns Match Player Stats
Here are the leading performances from both teams based on the available box score.
Charlotte Hornets Player Stats
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coby White | 21 | 3 | 3 |
| N. Reid | 16 | 8 | 3 |
| Grayson Allen | 14 | 4 | 6 |
| Moussa Diabate | 7 | 13 | 2 |
| S. James | 3 | 8 | 6 |
| C. Anderson | 13 | 0 | 2 |
| Grant Williams | 11 | 2 | 1 |
Coby White led the Hornets with 21 points, shooting 8-of-16 from the field. Moussa Diabate dominated the rebounding department with 13 boards, including eight offensive rebounds.
Grayson Allen contributed 14 points and six assists, while bench player C. Anderson added 13 points.
Phoenix Suns Player Stats
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devin Booker | 30 | 1 | 7 |
| Dillon Brooks | 15 | 3 | 1 |
| Collin Gillespie | 13 | 2 | 1 |
| Jordan Green | 12 | 4 | 0 |
| Miles Bridges | 11 | 6 | 3 |
| Luke Kennard | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| Jordan Goodwin | 6 | 5 | 2 |
| Khaman Maluach | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Booker led Phoenix in scoring and assists, while Brooks and Gillespie provided valuable offensive support. Miles Bridges also made an impact in his first matchup against Charlotte.
Charlotte Hornets vs Phoenix Suns Timeline: Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
The Charlotte Hornets vs Phoenix Suns timeline showed how the game shifted throughout the four quarters.
First Quarter: Phoenix established an early advantage with a 28-22 opening period. The Suns found scoring opportunities early, while Charlotte struggled to match their offensive production.
Second Quarter: The Hornets responded with 28 points, but Phoenix added another 27. The Suns maintained a five-point advantage, leading 55-50 at halftime.
Third Quarter: Charlotte produced its strongest stretch of the game, scoring 26 points while holding Phoenix to 17. The Hornets entered the fourth quarter with a 76-72 lead.
Fourth Quarter: Phoenix delivered its best response of the night. The Suns scored 29 points, with Booker leading the offensive effort, while their defense restricted Charlotte to 20 points. Phoenix eventually secured the 101-96 win.
Team Statistics: Why the Suns Won
The overall team numbers reveal an interesting contrast between the two sides.
| Category | Hornets | Suns |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 96 | 101 |
| Field Goals | 33-80 | 38-92 |
| Field Goal % | 41.3% | 41.3% |
| Three-Pointers | 14-39 | 13-43 |
| Three-Point % | 35.9% | 30.2% |
| Free Throws | 16-20 | 12-15 |
| Rebounds | 65 | 44 |
| Assists | 24 | 23 |
| Steals | 4 | 11 |
| Blocks | 4 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 25 | 7 |
Charlotte actually won the rebounding battle by a significant margin, collecting 65 rebounds compared with Phoenix’s 44.
The Hornets also shot better from three-point range, making 14 of their 39 attempts. However, their biggest problem was ball security.
Charlotte committed 25 turnovers, compared with only seven by Phoenix. The Suns recorded 11 steals and repeatedly benefited from Charlotte’s mistakes.
That difference proved crucial in a game decided by just five points.
NBA Starting Lineups: Hornets vs Suns
Based on the supplied box score, the starting lineups for this matchup were:
Charlotte Hornets
- Coby White
- N. Reid
- Grayson Allen
- Moussa Diabate
- S. James
Phoenix Suns
- Devin Booker
- Dillon Brooks
- Jordan Green
- Miles Bridges
- O. Ighodaro
These are the listed starters from the game box score rather than projected NBA starting lineups.
What the Result Means for the Suns and Hornets
The victory gives Phoenix an important boost as the team continues its 2026-27 campaign.
The Suns improved to 5-6 overall and extended their winning streak to two games. They currently sit third in the Pacific Division standings, behind the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.
For Charlotte, the defeat dropped the team to 4-8. The Hornets remain fourth in the Southeast Division, ahead of Washington but behind Atlanta, Miami and Orlando.
Charlotte showed that it could compete with Phoenix, particularly through its rebounding and three-point shooting. However, the 25 turnovers ultimately made it difficult to finish the comeback.
When Is the Next Hornets vs Suns Game?
According to the supplied schedule, the two teams are scheduled to meet again in Charlotte on March 14, 2027.
Phoenix currently leads the season series 1-0 after its 101-96 victory.
The next matchup will give the Hornets an opportunity to respond on their home floor.
Final Takeaway
The Phoenix Suns earned a 101-96 victory over the Charlotte Hornets thanks to Devin Booker’s impressive 30-point performance and a much stronger fourth quarter.
Coby White led Charlotte with 21 points, while Moussa Diabate collected 13 rebounds. Despite winning the rebounding battle and shooting better from beyond the arc, the Hornets could not overcome their 25 turnovers.
For Phoenix, the result highlighted the importance of Booker’s leadership and the team’s ability to execute defensively in crucial moments. The Suns will look to build on this performance as the NBA season continues.
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