Bridges stars as the Hornets beat the Hawks 126-119 for their 9th straight win

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Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, center, goes up to shoot against Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, left, and forward Onyeka Okongwu, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (7) looks to shoot against Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard) — Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, center, goes up to shoot against Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, left, and forward Onyeka Okongwu, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

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10:12 PM on Saturday, February 7

The Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — Miles Bridges scored 26 points, Kon Knueppel had 23 and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Atlanta Hawks 126-119 on Saturday night for their ninth straight win.

LaMelo Ball added 19 points and nine assists as Charlotte improved to 12-3 in its last 15 games. Brandon Miller scored 16 points, and Moussa Diabate finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds.

The Hornets' win streak is the longest active streak in the NBA and the best run for the franchise since it also won nine in a row during the 1998-99 season.

Jalen Johnson had 31 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for Atlanta, which had won six of eight. Zaccharie Risacher scored 18 points, and Onyeka Okongwu had 16.

The Hawks and Hornets play again on Wednesday night at Charlotte.

Atlanta trailed 120-115 with 1:42 left, but Dyson Daniels dunked off a rebound and Johnson made two free throws to trim Charlotte's lead to one with 26.3 seconds remaining.

Ball, Miller and Bridges each made two foul shots to help the Hornets close it out. The Hornets went 16 for 16 at the line, and the Hawks were 15 for 17.

Charlotte closed the third quarter with an 11-0 run. Grant Williams had a three-point play and a 3-pointer, and Tre Mann’s 3 gave the Hornets a 98-90 lead going into the final period.

Led by Diabate, the Hornets finished with a 49-30 rebounding advantage.

Up next

Hornets: Open a four-game homestand on Monday night against Detroit.

Hawks: At Minnesota on Monday night for the opener of a three-game trip.

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