Cavaliers Lose To The Hornets 120-110: Game Recap 4/14/24

Post-Game Recap

3 Notes Around the Loss

1 – 4th Seed

With the Cavaliers losing to the Hornets and the Magic winning against the Bucks, the Cavs will be the fourth seed and host the Magic in the first round of the playoffs.

2 – Porter

Craig Porter was hurt in the season finale with a sprained left ankle.  Porter needed to be helped off the floor, so fingers crossed that it is not severe with Porter.

3 – 48 wins

With the loss, the Cavs finished with three more losses compared to 2022-23, yet are still the fourth seed as they were in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

Game Recap

In Sunday’s game, the Charlotte Hornets clinched a victory over the playoff-bound Cleveland Cavaliers with Nick Smith Jr. leading the charge, scoring a season-high of 24 points. This victory also marked Steve Clifford’s coaching farewell, with the Hornets rallying to a 120-110 win.

Despite a valiant effort from Cleveland, led by Max Strus’s first career triple-double of 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, they chose to rest key players like Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Caris LeVert. The Cavaliers, securing home-court advantage in the playoffs’ first round, finished the regular season with a record of 48-34, though uncertainty looms regarding their opponent.

Georges Niang, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley contributed significantly for Cleveland, with Niang notably playing in all 82 games, a feat not achieved by a Cavaliers player since LeBron James in 2017-2018.

As for the Hornets, JT Thor impressed with a career-high of 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Bryce McGowens and Marques Bolden added 18 and 14 points, respectively. Notably, Cavaliers forward Pete Nance made his mark with his first NBA points, sinking a 3-pointer.

Unfortunately, injuries plagued both sides, with Hornets’ Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges sidelined due to a right wrist sprain and bruised right wrist, respectively, while rookie point guard Craig Porter Jr. endured a left ankle sprain for the Cavaliers. Despite these setbacks, the game showcased notable performances and a fitting farewell for Clifford, who leaves as the Hornets’ all-time leader in games coached and wins.

Up Next

Host a playoff game on either April 20 or 21.