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Knueppel scores 29 points, Miller has 25 in Hornets’ 119-111 OT win over Cavaliers

Knueppel scores 29 points, Miller has 25 in Hornets' 119-111 OT win over Cavaliers | iNFOnews.ca
Charlotte Hornets' Ryan Kalkbrenner, center, grabs a rebound in front of Cleveland Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen, right, as Hornets' Kon Knueppel, left, watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Kon Knueppel scored 29 points, Brandon Miller added 25 and the Charlotte Hornets shut out Cleveland in overtime on their way to a rare road victory, 119-111 over the Cavaliers on Sunday.

Knueppel, the No. 4 overall selection this year in the NBA draft, had his second straight strong performance after scoring a season-high 33 in a loss to Chicago on Friday night. Miller added a career-high 13 rebounds and six assists.

Miles Bridges had 20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as Charlotte improved to just 3-10 away from home.

The Cavaliers missed all 10 shots in the five-minute overtime and Cleveland suffered another troubling loss for a team expected to contend for the Eastern Conference title.

Darius Garland scored 26 points and Donovan Mitchell added 17 for the Cavs, who have been plagued by inconsistency in the season’s first two months.

Jaylon Tyson had 16 points and 13 rebounds for Cleveland, which has lost six of nine.

The Cavs were down 17 in the third but rallied to tie it in the final seconds of regulation. Mitchell had a chance to win it in the last second, but the All-Star guard, coming off a 48-point game at Washington on Friday, missed a 12-foot jumper.

Following his misfire, Mitchell dejectedly covered his face while resting it on the scorer’s table.

Injuries have played a role in the Cavaliers’ problems. They were without another key piece as forward Evan Mobley sat out with a strained left calf that could keep the league’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year out for a month.

While Cleveland’s play of late has worrisome, coach Kenny Atkinson remains optimistic, saying before the game “the sky isn’t falling. We’re going to be all right.”

The Hornets were missing guards LaMelo Ball, Collin Sexton and Tre Mann due to injuries.

Up next

Hornets: Host Atlanta on Thursday night.

Cavaliers: At Chicago on Wednesday night.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Knueppel scores 29 points, Miller has 25 in Hornets' 119-111 OT win over Cavaliers | iNFOnews.ca
Charlotte Hornets’ Miles Bridges (0) shoots as Cleveland Cavaliers’ De’Andre Hunter, right, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Knueppel scores 29 points, Miller has 25 in Hornets' 119-111 OT win over Cavaliers | iNFOnews.ca
Charlotte Hornets’ Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) cannot control the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers’ De’Andre Hunter, front, and Jarrett Allen (31) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Knueppel scores 29 points, Miller has 25 in Hornets' 119-111 OT win over Cavaliers | iNFOnews.ca
Charlotte Hornets’ Miles Bridges (0) shoots as Cleveland Cavaliers’ Lonzo Ball, left, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Knueppel scores 29 points, Miller has 25 in Hornets' 119-111 OT win over Cavaliers | iNFOnews.ca
Charlotte Hornets’ Brandon Miller (24) prepares to dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

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The Associated Press

Tom Withers

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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