Charlotte Hornets rookie Brandon Miller continued a hot stretch of play on Monday and made franchise history in the process in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Miller produced 33 points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists in the 124-118 loss at Spectrum Center. He went 13-of-25 from the field, including 5-of-11 from 3-point range, in 33 minutes as the Hornets dropped to 10-39 on the season.
The second pick became the first Hornets rookie to record at least 30 points in consecutive games. He is one of five first-year players this season with multiple 30-point games.
“He just does things that you don’t teach,” coach Steve Clifford said. “But as much as anything, he has got size. He is going to have a real play-making aspect to his game, too, as he gets older. He can really pass. Right now, we need him to score, and that’s what he is doing.”
BRANDON. MILLER. pic.twitter.com/B9y8EwQBPn
— Bally Sports: Hornets (@HornetsOnBally) February 6, 2024
Miller produced a career-high 35 points, six rebounds, two blocks, one assist and one steal on Sunday in a loss to the Indiana Pacers. He became the first rookie this season to produce at least 30 points in back-to-back games following his effort against the Lakers.
He is averaging 23.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals on 40.9% shooting from 3-point range over his last 11 games. He has totaled 146 points over his last five games, representing the most scored by a rookie in any five-game span this season.
The 21-year-old has dealt with injuries throughout the year that have seemingly prevented him from getting into a rhythm on the court. However, he appears to be settling in now, resulting in his best stretch of the season with the Hornets.
Miller was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in January, his first award of the season. He credited his teammates for helping him on and off the court for his recent uptick in production.
“Hats off to my teammates for coming in every day and building my confidence to take the shots I take in tough matchups like this,” Miller said. “It is really all of my teammates; it isn’t just me. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t take those shots.”
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