The Charlotte Hornets and Sacramento Kings delivered a tightly contested battle in the NBA Summer League on July 18, 2026, with the Kings edging out a 92–90 victory at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The game showcased the depth of both teams’ young talent, as the Hornets mounted a late rally but ultimately fell just short in a contest that came down to the final possession.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, the Kings set the tone with aggressive perimeter defense and efficient transition offense. Sacramento built a 10-point lead by halftime, capitalizing on a 30–20 second quarter that left Charlotte scrambling. The Hornets, however, showed resilience in the third quarter, outscoring the Kings 28–18 to tie the game heading into the final period. The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading buckets until the final buzzer.

• Quarter Scores: Kings 22–20, 30–20, 18–28, 22–22 (Kings win 92–90)
• Key Runs: Kings’ 12–2 run late in the second quarter; Hornets’ 18–6 surge midway through the third

Key Moments

The game’s defining sequence occurred with under 10 seconds remaining. After a Hornets timeout, Charlotte inbounded the ball trailing 91–90. Rookie guard Jaylen Hawkins drove the lane, drew a double team, and kicked to an open wing shooter. The potential game-winning three-point attempt rimmed out, and the Kings secured the rebound. A free throw by Sacramento’s swingman Marcus Toliver with 0.3 seconds left sealed the 92–90 margin.

Earlier, the Hornets had erased a seven-point deficit in the final four minutes, tying the game at 90 on a driving layup by second-year forward Aminu Bamba. Sacramento responded immediately with a mid-range jumper from point guard Isaiah Carter, setting up the dramatic finish.

Standout Players

• Sacramento Kings: Isaiah Carter led all scorers with 24 points and 7 assists, showing poise under pressure. Marcus Toliver added 19 points and 8 rebounds, while center Drew Okonkwu contributed a double-double (14 points, 12 rebounds) and anchored the defense.
• Charlotte Hornets: Aminu Bamba posted 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in a breakout performance. Rookie guard Jaylen Hawkins chipped in 18 points and 5 assists, but his missed three in the closing seconds proved costly. Second-year big man Theo Harrison recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.

Impact and Takeaways

For the Kings, the win improved their Summer League record to 3–1, keeping them in contention for the tournament’s top seed. The balanced scoring and defensive intensity suggest that several of their young players are ready to contribute to the main roster. The Hornets, now 2–2, will look to bounce back in their next game. Head coach Charles Lee praised his team’s fight but noted the need for improved execution in crunch-time situations.

The Summer League continues to serve as a valuable evaluation platform for both franchises, with several fringe roster players making their case for a standard NBA contract. The Hornets’ Bamba and Hawkins, in particular, have drawn interest from scouts after their strong showings in Las Vegas.