Brandon Miller was the hero for the Hornets just a few seconds after he almost gave the game away.
A reminder on The Horry Scale: It breaks down a game-winning buzzer-beater (GWBB) in the categories of difficulty, game situation (was the team tied or behind at the time?), importance (playoff game or garden-variety night in November?) and celebration. Then we give it an overall grade on a scale of 1-5 Robert Horrys, named for the patron saint of last-second answered prayers.
The first game-winning buzzer-beater of the 2024-25 season was instant redemption for Charlotte Hornets wing Brandon Miller.
With the Hornets leading by one and trying to run out the clock, Miller was trapped in a double-team and the Detroit Pistons wrestled the ball away from him and scored the go-ahead bucket. On the ensuing possession, Miller scored off an offensive rebound at the horn to lift the Hornets to a dramatic 108-107 victory.
GAME SITUATION: In a game that featured 17 ties and 18 lead changes, the Hornets led 106-105 when Miller was stripped by Mailk Beasley before rookie Ron Holland went the other way to give the Pistons the lead with 6.3 seconds remaining. Down by a point, the ball swung to Grant Williams with 3 seconds left for a 3-pointer that rimmed out and found Miller underneath the basket.
DIFFICULTY: As Williams’ 3-point attempt rattled off of the rim, Miller maneuvered around Beasley to grab the rebound and released the putback with 0.4 on the clock. Ballgame. Miller was in the right place at the right time, but he had to get the shot off almost as soon as he touched the ball. Not so easy.
CELEBRATION: Knocking off the Pistons in November won’t win any awards, but that did not stop Miller’s teammates from mobbing him under the basket as the home crown went berserk. LaMelo Ball was the first to jump on Miller and rode him like horse until the entire team joined the party.
SOMEONE CAPTION THIS WE’VE GOT MORE CONTENT COMING pic.twitter.com/UuItlVGNhC
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) November 7, 2024
GRADE: Miller’s putback avenged a huge turnover just seconds earlier and snapped the Hornets’ three-game losing streak. It was a nice moment for the No. 2 pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, who missed four of the Hornets’ first games with a left glute strain. But that’s in the past. Tonight it was Miller Time. 3 Horrys.
