Hornets Fall to Suns 101-96 After Committing 27 Turnovers

The Charlotte Hornets fell 101-96 to the Phoenix Suns.

Every Charlotte starter committed at least four turnovers, and 18 of them came in the first and fourth quarters. The Suns turned the ball over eight times in the game.

"That's way too many opportunities for the other team to capitalize," head coach Charles Lee said. "We gotta look in the mirror, all of us, myself included, and figure out how we can tighten that up." Charlotte fell to 4-8 overall and 1-4 away from home.

Charlotte played without Kon Knueppel and Dennis Schroder, both out with hamstring injuries. Grayson Allen made his third straight start in place of Brandon Miller, who is out with a hip injury.

Phoenix led 48-31 in the second quarter before Charlotte put together a 33-11 run across the second and third quarters. The Hornets carried a 76-72 lead into the fourth quarter.

Coby White scored a season-high 21 points for Charlotte but did not play in the fourth quarter.

"Having Coby out there, pushing the pace," Lee said, "I think it becomes contagious. The ball has energy."

Christian Anderson scored a career-high 13 points and made three 3-pointers for the second straight game. Moussa Diabate pulled down 13 rebounds, eight on the offensive glass, as Charlotte set a team season high with 64.

"It's not the competitive effort," Grant Williams said. "Our team is doing everything possible that it takes to win."

The Suns opened the fourth quarter on a 20-10 run and went up 92-86 on a Dillon Brooks 3-pointer with 3:40 left. Booker's deep 3-pointer with 23.8 seconds to go put Phoenix ahead 97-91.

"I thought we did a pretty good job of defensively trying to guard, trying to throw some different looks at Booker," Lee said. "He hits a big-time shot there at the end to make it a six-point game."

Royce O'Neale's four-point play with 21.2 seconds to go pulled Charlotte within 97-95. Miles Bridges, who was traded from Charlotte last summer, then made two free throws for Phoenix. Booker added a steal and two free throws with 9.9 seconds left.

Booker finished with 30 points, seven assists and three steals while shooting 12 of 20 from the field. The Hornets get two days off before they face the Los Angeles Clippers in a Sunday afternoon game.