The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Houston Rockets, 122-117, at Toyota Center on Wednesday night.

The Hornets (12-34) and Rockets (10-35) both came into the game with significant defensive liabilities, and that was evident during a first half Houston emerged from with a 60-53 advantage. Charlotte was then able to lop all but one point from its deficit going into the final period despite losing LaMelo Ball to an ankle injury during the third quarter. The visitors eventually overtook the hosts, and although the Rockets got as close within three with 13.1 seconds remaining, Bryce McGowens sealed the victory with a pair of free throws.

Terry Rozier led the Hornets with 26 points, adding six assists, two rebounds, two steals and one block. Mason Plumlee and Mark Williams delivered matching 17-point efforts while adding nine and six rebounds, respectively. Plumlee added three steals while Williams recorded five blocks. P.J. Washington turned in 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists, three steals and three blocks. Ball supplied 13 points, four assists and one rebound. Jalen McDaniels finished with 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, five steals and one block. McGowens registered 10 points, four boards and three assists.

Jalen Green paced the Rockets with 41 points, complementing them with seven assists and five rebounds. Alperen Sengun compiled a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double that included six assists, two steals and one block. Kenyon Martin Jr. and Eric Gordon turned in 11 points apiece, with Martin also registering seven boards and three assists.

The Hornets remain on the road and face the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night while the Rockets also hit the road and take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.