Brandon Miller scored 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Charlotte Hornets to a 111-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, marking their sixth consecutive win.

Miller, drafted just after Spurs’ top pick Victor Wembanyama in 2023, helped Charlotte hold off a late Spurs rally. San Antonio cut a 20-point deficit to 106-104 with 97 seconds remaining, but after Wembanyama missed a potential tying three-pointer, Miller sank two free throws—extending his streak of consecutive makes to 38—to seal the win.

“Got to take my hat off to them. Very competitive players,” Miller said of the Spurs’ fightback. “Everybody came out with the mindset of competing at the highest level and making every winning play they can, and that’s how we got the win.”

Collin Sexton added 21 off the bench, while LaMelo Ball contributed 16 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. The victory marked Charlotte’s longest winning streak since March 2016.

For San Antonio, Dylan Harper scored 20 points, Wembanyama had 16 points and eight rebounds, and Stephon Castle added 16 points with nine assists.

Embiid Drops 40 as 76ers Edge Pelicans

In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid scored 40 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the 76ers to a 124-114 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, hours after teammate Paul George was suspended for 25 games for violating the NBA Anti-Drug Program.

George said he mistakenly took an unapproved mental health medication and vowed to use his suspension to return ready to help the team in March.

Despite George’s absence, Embiid carried Philadelphia, scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter. After a 105-104 lead for New Orleans midway through the final frame, Embiid hit a turnaround jumper to break a 109-109 tie, helping the Sixers pull away for their third straight win.

“I actually think I had a bad game,” Embiid said of his first 40-point outing of the season. “I missed a lot of easy shots, but we locked in in the fourth quarter.”

Kelly Oubre Jr. added 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Tyrese Maxey contributed 18 points. Saddiq Bey led the Pelicans with 34 points.

Around the League

• Indiana Pacers 129, Atlanta Hawks 124: Andrew Nembhard scored 26 points, Pascal Siakam added 25, and Aaron Nesmith chipped in 23 to help the Pacers hold off a late Hawks push.
• Minnesota Timberwolves 131, Memphis Grizzlies 114: Anthony Edwards scored 33 points and Julius Randle added 27 as Minnesota notched their fourth straight win.
• Houston Rockets 111, Dallas Mavericks 107: Amen Thompson had 21 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, leading six Rockets in double figures to a narrow win despite 34 points and 12 rebounds from rookie Cooper Flagg.