Phoenix Suns Defeat Charlotte Hornets 111-99, Ending Road Winning Streak The Phoenix Suns extended their winning streak to four games with a 111-99 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, ending the Hornets’ 10-game road winning streak. Devin Booker led the way for Phoenix with 30 points and 10 assists, despite shooting just 1 for 6 from beyond the arc. Booker made all 15 of his free throws, ensuring his team’s lead remained intact throughout the game. Collin Gillespie and Jalen Green each contributed 24 points for the Suns, who improved to 16-12 on the season. Rasheer Fleming added 16 off the bench, including four 3-pointers, while the Suns’ depth proved crucial in securing the win. Phoenix’s bench scored 42 points, compared to Charlotte’s 44, but the Suns’ stronger defense in the second half allowed them to pull away. Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 22 points, but his team’s road winning streak came to an end. The Hornets’ 10-game road win streak was the longest in NBA history since the 2019-20 Lakers’ 11-game stretch. Charlotte’s loss ended a 16-5 record in their last 21 games since a poor 4-14 start to the season. Miles Bridges, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller all scored in double digits in the first half, with Knueppel leading the NBA in 3-pointers despite going 2 for 8 from deep. The Suns, playing their final home game before a six-game road trip, maintained their strong performance. Phoenix’s victory came without starters Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams, both sidelined by injuries, and without Grayson Allen, who sat out with a sore right knee. The Suns led 60-58 at halftime, with Green scoring 20 points and Booker adding 14.#charlotte_hornets #phoenix_suns #devin_booker #collin_gillespie #jalen_green
Devin Booker says Suns rookie 'graduated' following career-night Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker joked during his postgame press conference that rookie Rasheer Fleming has "graduated" after a standout performance in the Suns’ 111-98 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Fleming, who scored a career-high 16 points, has continued to develop rapidly, earning praise from Booker for his growth as a player. Fleming’s performance marked a significant step forward, especially as he transitioned from focusing on defense to contributing more on offense. A week prior, he had been tasked with guarding high-profile opponents like Luka Doncic and LeBron James, but now his offensive skills are catching up. Booker, who has seen multiple Suns rookies progress over the years, noted that Fleming and fellow rookie Khaman Maluach have moved beyond the "stay-ready" group—a term used to describe players still learning the ropes. "Both of them are doing it well," Booker said, laughing after the game. "We watched them from the beginning. You see the potential. You saw what they can do in training camp, and I’ve seen that plenty of times over my years. You just wait for the real game and see if it translates." Fleming echoed Booker’s sentiment, emphasizing the value of playing in the G-League and staying-ready opportunities. "It’s basketball at the end of the day," he said. "When Khaman and I are able to play in that, or the G-League, we take advantage, full advantage of that opportunity because it’s basketball and it’s another way to get better." The 20-year-old Fleming, a former St. Joe’s standout, has been working to integrate himself into the Suns’ offense while also improving his defensive versatility. His ability to create space, rebound, and find open shots has drawn attention, and Booker’s postgame praise highlighted his progress.#phoenix_suns #devin_booker #khaman_maluach #rasheer_fleming #st_joes
Rasheer Fleming Shines with Career-High Performance Against Hornets Rasheer Fleming delivered a standout performance in the Phoenix Suns’ 111-99 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, scoring a career-high 16 points in just 23 minutes off the bench. The rookie forward’s contributions were crucial in helping the Suns maintain their lead against the road-faring Hornets, who had previously won 10 consecutive away games. Fleming’s ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc played a significant role in the win, as he made two of his career-best four three-pointers in the third quarter. Fleming’s efforts came as a counterpoint to fellow Suns rookie Khaman Maluach, who also had a strong game but did not dominate the spotlight. The 6-foot-9 forward’s shooting accuracy has improved notably, with a 55.6% clip (8 for 15) this month. His three-point shooting has been a focus area since his time in the G League, and the results are now showing. In February, Fleming shot 7 for 17 from long range, but his efficiency has increased significantly in recent weeks. The Suns’ victory was bolstered by a balanced offensive attack, with three players scoring over 20 points. Devin Booker led the way with 30 points, including a perfect 15-of-15 performance from the free-throw line. Jalen Green added 24 points, shooting 8 of 19, while Collin Gillespie contributed 24 points and five three-pointers. Fleming’s 16 points came on 6-of-8 shooting, complemented by two rebounds, both of which came off the offensive glass. Coach Devin Booker praised Fleming’s performance after the game, highlighting the rookie’s impact on the team’s success. Fleming’s ability to step up in key moments, particularly in the third quarter, was a turning point for the Suns.#charlotte_hornets #phoenix_suns #devin_booker #rasheer_fleming #khaman_maluach
Charlotte Hornets vs Phoenix Suns injury report: Who's playing, injured and questionable players, head-to-head records, team stats, and more (March 8, 2026) The Charlotte Hornets and Phoenix Suns are set to face off on March 8, 2026, in a late-season matchup scheduled for 10:00 ET. Both teams are vying for playoff positioning as the NBA regular season approaches its final stretch. Charlotte, fighting to secure a spot in the Eastern Conference play-in picture, faces a challenge with limited depth due to injuries. Phoenix, meanwhile, remains in a tight Western Conference race but also grapples with multiple key absences. The availability of players and the effectiveness of their rotations could heavily influence the outcome of the game. For the Hornets, the injury report shows minimal impact on their active roster, with only one player listed as out. Tidjane Salaun is sidelined with a left calf strain, while several younger players are with the G League. This allows LaMelo Ball to remain in the lineup as the team’s primary playmaker. The Hornets’ roster includes Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller as key scorers, with Collin Sexton, acquired in a trade with Utah, adding depth at the guard position. The frontcourt features Mason Plumlee and Moussa Diabate, though Mark Williams and Nick Richards were traded to Phoenix earlier in the season. The Suns, however, face a more significant challenge with multiple injuries affecting their rotation. Dillon Brooks is out with a left hand fracture, Jordan Goodwin is sidelined due to a left calf strain, and Mark Williams is unavailable with a left foot injury. Grayson Allen is listed as probable with a right knee issue, but the team will rely heavily on Devin Booker, who remains their top scoring threat.#charlotte_hornets #phoenix_suns #la_melo_ball #devin_booker #miles_bridges
