Brandon Miller Scores 34 as Hornets Hold Off Heat 115-110 and Giannis Antetokounmpo Fouls Out

Brandon Miller scored 34 points and the Charlotte Hornets held off the Miami Heat 115-110 on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Spectrum Center in Charlotte. Miami erased a 23 point deficit and tied the game three times in the fourth quarter, but Charlotte never gave up the lead and closed the game at the free throw line.

The win took Charlotte to 2-1. Miami fell to 0-3 and is still winless. The teams were level 31-31 after the first quarter. Charlotte won the second quarter 35-27 and the third 30-17, then Miami won the fourth 35-19 as the rally gathered pace.

Miller answers a hard night

Miller finished 10 of 29 from the field and 11 of 12 from the free throw line, with 7 rebounds and 4 assists. The response came one night after a 128-81 loss to Atlanta on Friday, October 23, the fifth largest loss in franchise history. Miller scored 6 points in that game, four days after signing a five year, 209 million dollar contract extension.

Dennis Schroder added 25 points for Charlotte. Naz Reid scored 23, and Grayson Allen contributed 20 points, including a four point play that settled the game late in the fourth quarter.

Charlotte also shot the ball better from distance. The Hornets made 16 of 43 three pointers, after making 11 of 51 against Atlanta. The game was played before a sellout crowd of 19,611 at Spectrum Center.

Giannis held to 14 and fouls out

Davion Mitchell led Miami with 22 points and 10 assists. Bam Adebayo had 20 points and 8 rebounds, Pelle Larsson scored 15 points, and Klay Thompson and Bobby Portis added 14 and 13 points.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 14 points for Miami. That was more than 20 points below the 35.5 points per game he averaged in his first two games after his trade from the Milwaukee Bucks. He fouled out with 1 minute 57 seconds left to play, and Miami had to finish the game without him.

The rally that fell short

Miami came back from 23 points down to tie the score at 100 in the fourth quarter. The Heat tied it again at 102 and again at 104, but they never took the lead during the rally.

After the last tie at 104, with 3 minutes 46 seconds left, Allen completed his four point play and put Charlotte ahead 108-104. Mitchell hit a three pointer that cut the margin to 113-110 with 8.1 seconds left. Allen then made two free throws to close the scoring.

Both teams play again on Monday, October 26. Miami hosts Dallas, and Charlotte hosts Washington.