Breaking Down the Box Score - Charlotte Hornets vs Orlando Magic

Charlotte Hornets 107 Orlando Magic 104

Five Observations

1) Gordon Hayward led the Hornets with 39 points. It marked the fourth time this month that Hayward has exceeded 30 points and his five three-pointers were a season high. Hayward only eclipsed 30 points twice all of last season, and one of those efforts was an overtime game against the Magic. Hayward is averaging 24.1 points a game this season, which would be a career best for him. He's also shooting a career best 51.2% from the floor. Hayward will turn 31 in March.

2) Rookie point guard LaMelo Ball continues to fill out box scores as he chipped in 11 points, five rebounds and eight assists in the Hornets' win. Ball, the third overall pick in the 2020 draft, is currently third among rookies in scoring (11.4 ppg), first in rebounds (6.3 rpg) and first in assists (6.0 apg). The only rookies ahead of him in scoring are the two players who were drafted ahead of him: Anthony Edwards (Minnesota, 1st overall, 12.1 ppg) and James Wiseman (Golden State, 2nd overall, 11.8 ppg).

3) Gary Clark had his best game of the season for the Magic connecting on a team-best four three-pointers and finishing with a season high 14 points. Clark's four three-pointers matched his career high as he started for just the third time this season. In his three-year career, Clark has averaged just over 3 points per game. 

4) Hornets forward P.J. Washington blocked multiple shots for the sixth time in the last nine games. Washington is currently ranked 15th in the league with 1.4 blocks per game. Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner leads the league with 4.2 blocks per game.

5) Nikola Vucevic led the Magic with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Vucevic, now in his 10th NBA season, is averaging a career best 23.2 points to go along with 11.0 rebounds. He's currently ranked ninth in the NBA in rebounding and 23rd in scoring.