Understanding what was at stake and the significance of the opener of a five-game homestand, there was no real way the Charlotte Hornets could downplay what they were up against.
That’s why PJ Washington huffed and puffed with every critical bucket of his that cut through the nets Wednesday night. He was seething after blowing a two-hander late in the fourth quarter that might’ve raised the Spectrum Center roof a tad bit more.
“I was mad I missed the dunk,” Washington said.
He took it out on Atlanta and keyed the Hornets’ impressive 116-106 win, outscoring the Hawks in a game-sealing run all by himself thanks to netting 13 of his team’s final 19 points.