P.J. Washington scored 13 of his 16 points in the final 4 1/2 minutes, and the Charlotte Hornets pulled away to defeat the visiting Atlanta Hawks 116-106 in a key Eastern Conference game Wednesday night.
LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 21 points and 11 assists, capped by a long 3-pointer in the final minute. Montrezl Harrell had 20 points and Miles Bridges and Terry Rozier each scored 18 points for Charlotte. Mason Plumlee chipped in with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Trae Young, Atlanta's star guard, was held to a season-low nine points on 3-for-12 shooting from the field.