The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 120-110, at Spectrum Center on Wednesday night.

The two struggling squads opened what was expected to be a high-scoring affair in very competitive fashion, matching each other bucket for bucket during a first quarter that finished in a 32-32 tie. The Hornets (17-43) managed to forge a three-point lead going into halftime and had extended their advantage over the Spurs (14-45) to seven going into the final period. While San Antonio got as close as within one just past the halfway point of the fourth quarter, the hosts finished on a 17-8 run in the final 5:52 for the win.

Malaki Branham led the Spurs with 23 points, adding six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Keldon Johnson provided 21 points, eight boards and four assists. Doug McDermott supplied 17 points and four rebounds. Zach Collins contributed a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double that included five assists and one steal. Keita Bates-Diop registered 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.

LaMelo Ball paced the Hornets with a 28-point, 12-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included one steal. P.J. Washington mustered a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double that included one assist, three blocks and one steal. Gordon Hayward registered 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal. Mark Williams generated a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double that included four blocks. Svi Mykhailiuk matched Williams' scoring and also pulled down two rebounds. Bryce McGowens netted 11 points, three assists, one rebound and two steals. Dennis Smith Jr. offered 10 points, nine assists, five rebounds and three steals.

The Spurs return to action after the All-Star break on Thursday night, Feb. 23 on the road against the Mavericks, while the Hornets next visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, Feb. 24 to open up their stretch run.