The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 116-110, at Spectrum Center on Wednesday night in the opening game of the season for both clubs.

The Hawks (0-1) headed into the season with their Big Three from last season down John Collins, who was traded to the Utah Jazz during the offseason. However, Atlanta believed it had more than enough firepower in their two remaining biggest stars, Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, to compete in a formidable Eastern Conference, yet the talented duo fell well short of expectations to open the campaign. Young and Murray went just 7-for-33 from the field combined, and the Hornets (1-0) overcame a four-point deficit after one quarter to win every subsequent period and close out the contest with a 38-point tally in the final 12 minutes.

Young led the Hawks with 23 points, adding nine assists, one rebound and one steal. Jalen Johnson provided 21 points, seven boards, two assists, two steals and one block. Clint Capela and Saddiq Bey generated matching 15-point contributions while pulling down 13 and five rebounds, respectively. Bey also recorded five steals. Murray finished with 11 points, six assists and two rebounds.

P.J. Washington paced the Hornets with 25 points, complementing them with five rebounds and two assists. Terry Rozier delivered 24 points, six assists and five boards. LaMelo Ball posted a 15-point, 10-assist double-double that included six rebounds and one steal. Mark Williams supplied a 13-point, 15-rebound double-double that included one assist, three steals and one block. Rookie second overall pick Brandon Miller matched Williams' scoring and added three rebounds and two assists. Gordon Hayward registered 10 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, one steal and one block.

The Hawks head home to face off with the New York Knicks on Friday night in Atlanta's home opener, while the Hornets remain home and host the Detroit Pistons on Friday night as well.