Brandon Miller Drops Career-High 39 as Hornets Beat Wizards

Brandon Miller delivered the biggest scoring night of his NBA career Monday, pouring in 39 points as the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Washington Wizards 110-103. Miller knocked down five 3-pointers and added six rebounds, giving Charlotte its third victory in four games to open the season despite playing without several important rotation pieces.

The performance was especially encouraging after a slow shooting start to Miller’s season. Charlotte entered the night without starters Coby White and Kon Knueppel and top reserve Grant Williams, yet Miller carried the offensive load when the Hornets needed it most. Naz Reid added 18 points, while Charlotte did enough defensively down the stretch to prevent Washington from stealing the game. Miller’s 39 surpassed his previous career high and provided an immediate reminder of the scoring ceiling that made him the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

The timing matters for Charlotte. Miller recently signed a five-year extension that cemented him as one of the franchise’s foundational players, and Monday’s performance showed why the Hornets made that commitment. One career night does not define a season, but Charlotte is 3-1 while dealing with injuries, and its young star just produced the kind of takeover performance expected from a franchise centerpiece. The next step is turning that scoring explosion into consistent efficiency as the Hornets’ lineup gets healthier.