NBA · Final

Hornets Edge Hawks in Thrilling Finish

126

133

Thursday, December 18, 2025, 7:00 PM ET · Spectrum Center

Charlotte Hornets 133, Atlanta Hawks 126, final. Our NBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Atlanta Hawks vs Charlotte Hornets?

Charlotte Hornets beat Atlanta Hawks 133-126 at Spectrum Center on December 18, 2025.

Who was favored in Atlanta Hawks vs Charlotte Hornets?

Atlanta Hawks were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -185 (about 65% implied). The underdog won.

In a closely contested matchup, the Charlotte Hornets triumphed over the Atlanta Hawks with a final score of 133-126 at the Spectrum Center on December 19, 2025. This victory marked a significant moment for the Hornets, as they had previously struggled against the Hawks, losing their last five encounters before this game, including a narrow defeat earlier in the season on November 23, 2025, when they lost 110-113. With this win, the series between the two teams is now tied at 1-1 for the season.

The Hornets entered the game with a home record of 9-18, while the Hawks had a better away record of 15-13. Charlotte's recent form showed a mixed performance, with a record of 4-6 in their last ten games, but they were riding a one-game winning streak after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 119-111 just days prior. In their last five games, the Hornets averaged 113.2 points scored per game while allowing 112.0 points, indicating a competitive edge on both ends of the court.

On the other hand, the Hawks had a record of 5-5 in their last ten games, also coming off a win against the Philadelphia 76ers, where they secured a 120-117 victory. Their recent scoring average was higher at 118.7 points per game, but they also allowed an average of 122.2 points, highlighting some defensive vulnerabilities that the Hornets could exploit.

In terms of home and away performance, the Hornets had a home record of 2-3 in their last five games, while the Hawks were 2-3 in their last five games on the road. This game was crucial for both teams as they aimed to improve their standings in the league.

Injuries played a role in the matchup, with several key players listed as day-to-day. For the Hornets, Brandon Miller (shoulder) and PJ Hall (ankle) were uncertain, while the Hawks had Mouhamed Gueye (foot), Keshon Gilbert (hip), and RayJ Dennis (Achilles) also listed as day-to-day. The availability of these players could have a significant impact on both teams' strategies and performance.

The betting odds from DraftKings indicated that the Hawks were favored by 4.5 points, with a total set at 240.5 for the game. The odds reflected the Hawks' stronger record, but the Hornets proved their capability to compete, especially in front of their home crowd.

The game conditions were favorable for an exciting matchup, with both teams looking to establish their rhythm early. The Hornets took advantage of their home court, and the crowd was electric as they cheered on their team. Key moments in the fourth quarter included LaMelo Ball's impressive step-back three-pointer that extended the Hornets' lead, and crucial free throws from Brandon Miller that sealed the victory.

Viewers were treated to a thrilling display of basketball, with both teams showcasing their offensive talents. The Hornets' ability to capitalize on their scoring opportunities, particularly in the final moments, ultimately led to their victory. As the teams move forward, the Hornets will look to build on this momentum, while the Hawks will need to regroup after a hard-fought battle.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	ATL -4.5	240.5 o -110 / u -110	Atlanta Hawks -185 · Charlotte Hornets +154

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Injury report

Brandon MillerDay-To-DayShoulderCharlotte Hornets
PJ HallDay-To-DayAnkleCharlotte Hornets
Mouhamed GueyeDay-To-DayFootAtlanta Hawks
Keshon GilbertDay-To-DayHipAtlanta Hawks
RayJ DennisDay-To-DayAchillesAtlanta Hawks

Leaders

PointsKon Knueppel28Charlotte Hornets
AssistsLaMelo Ball13Charlotte Hornets
ReboundsMoussa Diabate6Charlotte Hornets
PointsJalen Johnson43Atlanta Hawks
AssistsTrae Young10Atlanta Hawks
ReboundsJalen Johnson11Atlanta Hawks

Recent form

Charlotte Hornets

Last 10: 4-6Streak W1112.1 scored · 114.5 allowed per game2-3 at home

W119-111at Cleveland CavaliersDec 14
L126-129vs Chicago BullsDec 13
L106-115vs Denver NuggetsDec 7
W111-86at Toronto RaptorsDec 6
L104-119at New York KnicksDec 4
L103-116at Brooklyn NetsDec 2
W118-111vs Toronto RaptorsNov 29
W123-116vs Chicago BullsNov 29
L101-129vs New York KnicksNov 27
L110-113at Atlanta HawksNov 23

Atlanta Hawks

Last 10: 5-5Streak W1118.7 scored · 122.2 allowed per game2-3 away

W120-117vs Philadelphia 76ersDec 14
L115-142at Detroit PistonsDec 13
W131-116at Washington WizardsDec 7
L133-134vs Denver NuggetsDec 6
L92-115vs LA ClippersDec 4
L98-99at Detroit PistonsDec 2
W142-134at Philadelphia 76ersNov 30
W130-123vs Cleveland CavaliersNov 29
L113-132at Washington WizardsNov 26
W113-110vs Charlotte HornetsNov 23

Standings

Team	Games behind	Lost	Streak	Win %	Won
Atlanta	-	36	L1	.561	46
Orlando	1	37	L1	.549	45
Charlotte	2	38	W1	.537	44
Miami	3	39	W2	.524	43
Washington	29	65	L10	.207	17

Box score

Stat	Atlanta Hawks	Charlotte Hornets
Field goals	48-92	49-91
Field goal %	52	54
Three-pointers	11-37	24-49
Three-point %	30	49
Free throws	19-22	11-17
Free throw %	86	65
Rebounds	35	37
Offensive rebounds	9	7
Defensive rebounds	26	30
Assists	31	39
Steals	6	11
Blocks	2	3
Turnovers	15	14
Team turnovers	0	2
Technical fouls	0	2
Technical fouls, total	0	2
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	18	26
Fast-break points	16	20
Points in the paint	62	50
Fouls	20	21
Largest lead	0	24
Lead changes	0	0
Time in front	0	99

How the scoring went

3rd Quarter87-99Jalen Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
3rd Quarter88-99Jalen Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
3rd Quarter88-101KJ Simpson makes driving layup (Brandon Miller assists)
3rd Quarter88-103Moussa Diabate makes 1-foot dunk (Brandon Miller assists)
3rd Quarter88-105Brandon Miller makes driving layup (Tidjane Salaun assists)
3rd Quarter89-105Vit Krejci makes free throw 1 of 2
3rd Quarter90-105Vit Krejci makes free throw 2 of 2
3rd Quarter90-107Tidjane Salaun makes driving layup (Brandon Miller assists)
3rd Quarter92-107Jalen Johnson makes driving layup
3rd Quarter93-107Jalen Johnson makes free throw 1 of 1
3rd Quarter94-107Jalen Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
3rd Quarter95-107Jalen Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter97-107Onyeka Okongwu makes 6-foot driving floating jump shot
4th Quarter97-109Tidjane Salaun makes driving layup (Kon Knueppel assists)
4th Quarter99-109Nickeil Alexander-Walker makes 10-foot driving floating jump shot (Dyson Daniels assists)
4th Quarter102-109Luke Kennard makes 26-foot running jump shot (Dyson Daniels assists)
4th Quarter102-110Ryan Kalkbrenner makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter104-110Dyson Daniels makes 11-foot floating jump shot (Luke Kennard assists)
4th Quarter104-112Kon Knueppel makes 2-foot two point shot (LaMelo Ball assists)
4th Quarter104-114Kon Knueppel makes 11-foot pullup jump shot (LaMelo Ball assists)
4th Quarter106-114Nickeil Alexander-Walker makes 2-foot layup (Dyson Daniels assists)
4th Quarter108-114Jalen Johnson makes 7-foot two point shot
4th Quarter110-114Jalen Johnson makes running layup (Nickeil Alexander-Walker assists)
4th Quarter110-116Kon Knueppel makes 11-foot driving floating jump shot (Moussa Diabate assists)
4th Quarter112-116Nickeil Alexander-Walker makes driving layup
4th Quarter114-116Jalen Johnson makes running layup
4th Quarter114-119Kon Knueppel makes 24-foot three point jumper (Sion James assists)
4th Quarter116-119Jalen Johnson makes 5-foot driving floating jump shot
4th Quarter116-122Miles Bridges makes 23-foot three point jumper (Brandon Miller assists)
4th Quarter118-122Nickeil Alexander-Walker makes 3-foot layup (Jalen Johnson assists)
4th Quarter121-122Jalen Johnson makes 26-foot three point step back jumpshot
4th Quarter121-124LaMelo Ball makes driving layup
4th Quarter121-126LaMelo Ball makes 2-foot two point shot
4th Quarter123-126Dyson Daniels makes 1-foot dunk (Jalen Johnson assists)
4th Quarter123-129LaMelo Ball makes 30-foot three point step back jumpshot
4th Quarter123-130Kon Knueppel makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter123-131Kon Knueppel makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter126-131Jalen Johnson makes 25-foot three point jumper (Onyeka Okongwu assists)
4th Quarter126-132Brandon Miller makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter126-133Brandon Miller makes free throw 2 of 2