Then we brought him off the bench." Castle logged 26 points Friday, but his efforts were in vain as the Hornets, led by LaMelo Ball's 27 points, logged four 20-point scorers of their own. Ball also became the first player in Charlotte history to log 15 assists and seven three-pointers in a game.

The Spurs scored 79 points in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Charlotte’s 18 first-half threes.

Two teams on the outside of the playoff picture, the San Antonio Spurs and visiting Charlotte Hornets, will clash on Friday as the NBA season heads into its final month.