By MICHAEL WAGAMAN Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — P.J. Washington scored 23 points to lead seven Charlotte players in double figures and the Hornets rallied from 14 down to beat the winless Sacramento Kings 118-111 on Wednesday night.
Terry Rozier had 22 points, six assists and five rebounds for Charlotte, which hadn’t won since beating Chicago in the season-opener. The Hornets set a franchise-record with 23 3-pointers against the Bulls and had another big night beyond the arc against Sacramento, going 16 of 32.
Cody Zeller added 12 points and 15 rebounds for Charlotte (2-3) while Malik Monk scored 18.
Buddy Hield scored 23 points and Harrison Barnes had 22 for the Kings. Sacramento (0-5) is off to its worst start since 1990-91 when the Kings lost their first seven on the way to a 25-57 record.
The Hornets trailed 49-35 midway through the second quarter but closed within 66-61 at halftime, then took control in the third quarter. Rozier, Monk and Miles Bridges each made two 3-pointers, and Devonte Graham added a pair of free throws that made it 93-84.
TIP-INS
Hornets: Nicolas Batum (broken middle finger) missed his third straight game after being hurt in the opener. Batum, who is expected to miss 3-4 weeks, has been able to practice while wearing a protective splint.
Kings: De’Aaron Fox had 16 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. … Sacramento’s 14-point lead in the second quarter was its biggest of the season. The Kings had not led by more than 11 in its first four games. … Marvin Bagley III (right thumb fracture) and Harry Giles (left knee soreness) did not play.
HOLMES EARNS START
Richaun Holmes has been Sacramento’s most active player this season, which led coach Luke Walton to start him for the first time this season in place of 7-foot center Dewayne Dedmon. It paid off, as Holmes scored 11 of his 17 points in the first half. Holmes also had seven rebounds.
GOING DEEP
The Hornets made eight 3-pointers in the third quarter – one more than they had in the first half.
WILD THING
Charlotte guard Dwayne Bacon attempted a cross-court pass that sailed three rows into the stands in the third quarter.
UP NEXT
Hornets: Play at Golden State on Saturday. Charlotte lost both games against the Warriors last season.
Kings: Host Utah on Friday. The Jazz have won seven straight in Sacramento.
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