One of the highest-scoring preseason performances in recent franchise history helped the Charlotte Hornets notch a 117-115 home victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday evening.
PJ Washington, who absolutely exploded for a career-high 43 points in Oklahoma City this past March 28, picked up where he left off with a game-high 31 points on 13-of-18 shooting (5-of-8 3-point range), three rebounds and two assists in just 24 minutes. Washington’s point total is the highest by a Charlotte player in a preseason contest since Gerald Wallace had 34 against Atlanta way back on Oct. 18, 2007.
Holding a five-point lead at the break, the Hornets nearly doubled their advantage over the next 12 minutes by outscoring Oklahoma City, 31-26, while forcing seven turnovers in the third quarter.