Heat vs. Hornets: Brandon Miller scores 34 as Charlotte beats winless Miami 115-110

One night after one of the worst losses in franchise history, the Charlotte Hornets bounced back. Brandon Miller scored 34 points and Charlotte beat the winless Miami Heat 115-110 on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Spectrum Center.

The Hornets improved to 2-1. Miami fell to 0-3.

Heat vs. Hornets final score

Brandon Miller’s bounce-back

The turnaround was striking. On Friday, Charlotte lost its home opener to Atlanta 128-81, the fifth-largest loss in franchise history, according to the Associated Press. Miller went 2-of-14 from the field and 1-of-11 from 3-point range for six points in that game, four days after signing a five-year, $209 million contract extension.

On Saturday, Miller was aggressive from the start. He finished with 34 points on 10-of-29 shooting, 3-of-10 from deep and 11-of-12 at the free-throw line, plus seven rebounds and four assists, per ESPN’s box score. He was a game-best plus-20.

As a team, the Hornets went 16-of-43 from 3-point range after making just 11 of 51 against Atlanta.

How Charlotte held off Miami

Leading 68-63 with about 10 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter, Charlotte went on a 24-7 run fueled by five 3-pointers and led 92-70 with 2:55 left in the period, the AP reported.

Miami fought back. With Giannis Antetokounmpo in foul trouble (he eventually fouled out with 1:57 left), coach Erik Spoelstra went with starters Davion Mitchell and Bam Adebayo alongside reserves Pelle Larsson, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bobby Portis. That group rallied the Heat to ties at 100, 102 and 104.

After the final tie with 3:46 left, Grayson Allen hit an acrobatic 3-pointer from the left wing as the shot clock expired while being fouled by Hardaway. His free throw completed a four-point play for a 108-104 lead, and Miami never got closer than three the rest of the way.

Heat vs. Hornets player stats

Hornets: - Brandon Miller: 34 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists - Dennis Schröder: 25 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists - Naz Reid: 23 points (5-of-8 3PT), 9 rebounds - Grayson Allen: 20 points, 5 assists - Moussa Diabaté: 4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals in 22 minutes as a starter

Heat: - Davion Mitchell: 22 points (8-of-13 FG), 10 assists - Bam Adebayo: 20 points, 8 rebounds - Pelle Larsson: 15 points, 7 rebounds - Giannis Antetokounmpo: 14 points, 6 rebounds in 25 minutes (fouled out) - Klay Thompson: 14 points (4-of-9 3PT)

Giannis held in check

Antetokounmpo’s night drew plenty of attention. He came in averaging 35.5 points through his first two games with Miami after his offseason trade from the Milwaukee Bucks, the AP noted, and was held to 14 on 4-of-11 shooting while battling foul trouble.

A playoff rematch, with new faces

It was the teams’ first meeting since Charlotte’s 127-126 overtime win in last season’s Eastern Conference play-in tournament, which ended Miami’s 2025-26 season. LaMelo Ball, who hit the winner in that game, was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the offseason, per the AP. The sellout crowd at Spectrum Center was 19,611.

What’s next

The Heat host Dallas on Monday. The Hornets host Washington on Monday.

FAQ

Earlier coverage: Heat vs. Hornets: Giannis Antetokounmpo and winless Miami visit short-handed Charlotte (Oct 24)