Hawks rout the Hornets 128-81 for the biggest win in franchise history as Charlotte fans boo

Jalen Johnson had 19 points, eight assists and seven rebounds as the Atlanta Hawks hammered the Charlotte Hornets 128-81 on Friday night in Charlotte. The 47-point margin is the largest win in Hawks history.

The old franchise record was a 46-point win, 126-80 over Sacramento on Nov. 15, 2017. Atlanta improved to 2-0 ahead of its home opener.

Aaron Wiggins added 19 points off the bench on 7-of-9 shooting. All five Hawks starters scored in double figures, including Nickeil Alexander-Walker with 14 and C.J. McCollum with 13.

Daniels leads a swarming defense

Dyson Daniels had seven steals, one shy of his career high, before sitting out most of the fourth quarter. He also had 11 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Jock Landale, wearing a protective mask for a nasal fracture, added eight points and six rebounds.

Atlanta forced 14 turnovers in the first half alone and turned them into 15 points on the run. The Hawks built a 25-point lead before halftime. The lead reached 49 in the fourth quarter.

Boos in Charlotte

It was the Hornets' first home game since they traded star point guard LaMelo Ball, a move that was widely unpopular in Charlotte. The sellout crowd of 19,524 booed loudly as the team walked off at halftime. The boos only grew in the third quarter.

Naz Reid led Charlotte with 17 points. Brandon Miller struggled again days after signing a franchise-record five-year, $209 million extension. He scored six points and went 1 for 11 from 3-point range. He is 4 of 25 from deep this season.

The Hornets were again without Kon Knueppel (hamstring), starting point guard Coby White (calf) and Grant Williams (hamstring). Coach Charles Lee said all three are making good progress but gave no timetable.

Up next

Atlanta hosts the Houston Rockets on Saturday night. Charlotte hosts the Miami Heat on Saturday night.