Walker nets 43 in possible farewell as Charlotte eliminated
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Kemba Walker's season is over with the Hornets.
Now the question becomes whether the franchise's leading scorer and three-time All-Star is done playing in Charlotte for good.
Walker can become a free agent in July. He offered little insight into whether he will be back after the Hornets were eliminated from playoff contention Wednesday with a 122-114 loss to the Orlando Magic on the final night of the regular season.
''I'm not sure,'' Walker said. ''I have a long time to even start thinking about that stuff. Me and my agent, my family, we will discuss that stuff when the time is right.''
However, Walker seemed to leave the door open to leaving, much more so than last September when he said at the Hornets media day that ''this is where I want to be. I don't want to be nowhere else. I want to create something here.''
If this was Walker's curtain call in Charlotte, he certainly left Hornets fans with something to remember.
He scored 43 points on 16-of-25 shooting to go along with five assists. ''MVP!'' chants for Walker started midway through the fourth quarter after he scored his 39th point. He left the game to a standing ovation with 1:06 remaining and received a hug from coach James Borrego.
After the game, Walker spent extra time on the floor hugging people.
''I love that kid,'' Borrego said of Walker. ''He inspires me. I love coaching him, and I look forward to coaching him for many years to come. Obviously it's a big summer for us, but I believe in Kemba. I believe in that group and I think he was inspired by what he saw here down the stretch'' playing alongside the team's younger players like Miles Bridges and Dwayne Bacon.
For the Magic, it's on to the playoffs.
Terrence Ross scored a season-high 35 points and Aaron Gordon added 27 for Orlando, which clinched the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and will face the Toronto Raptors in the first round.
The teams split the four-game season series.
However, the Magic enter the postseason on a tear, winning 11 of its last 13 games and could prove to be a tough out in the postseason.
''This is perfect man. Great timing,'' Ross said. ''We couldn't ask for more in this position right now. It's about carrying that (over) and making sure we're ready to play.''
The Hornets entered the night needing a win and a Detroit loss to the New York Knicks to clinch the final playoff spot in the East.
Aside from Walker, nothing went right for Charlotte.
The Knicks, the worst team in the NBA, didn't put up much of a fight, losing by 26 at home to the Pistons in a game that was never close. Charlotte had its four-game winning streak snapped by the Magic.
Orlando, which clinched a playoff spot earlier this week, shot 54.5 percent from the field and got 18 points from D.J. Augustin.
TIP-INS
Magic: Outscored the Hornets in bench points 51-35.
Hornets: Bridges didn't wait long to turn in the play of the game, soaring well above the rim for alley-oop dunk to give Charlotte and early 2-0 lead. Borrego said the rookie has a ''high ceiling'' and expects him to be a much better player next year.
PARKER'S STREAK OVER
The Charlotte loss means Tony Parker's string of 17 straight playoff appearances is over. Parker didn't have a say in the outcome and hasn't played in the team's last 13 games as Borrego elected to go with younger players.
''That's hard to hear. That's hard to swallow,'' Borrego said of Parker's streak ending. ''I couldn't be more thankful to Tony for what he gave us and gave me this season. He took a chance on me and this organization when he didn't have to but he believed in us. He gave us everything he had. He helped us on the court and off the court. Tony's footprint is all over this organization.''
LOCKING IN
Orlando coach Steve Clifford said now it's time for his team to ''lock into'' studying Toronto in all phases of the game.
''They know us well and we need to know them well, so it's having an offensive plan and defensive plan and everyone knowing what we are trying to do at both ends of the floor,'' Clifford said.
UP NEXT:
Magic: Will face Raptors in the first round of the playoffs.
Hornets: Season over.
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Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
12:00 | Jumpball | |||
11:41 | Miles Bridges missed layup | |||
11:39 | Defensive rebound by Aaron Gordon | |||
11:36 | Lost ball turnover on Aaron Gordon, stolen by Miles Bridges | |||
11:29 | +2 | Miles Bridges made alley-oop shot, assist by Nicolas Batum | 0-2 | |
11:13 | Aaron Gordon missed driving layup | |||
11:10 | ORL team rebound | |||
11:00 | +2 | Aaron Gordon made jump shot, assist by Wesley Iwundu | 2-2 | |
10:45 | Out of bounds turnover on Dwayne Bacon | |||
10:23 | Aaron Gordon missed fade-away jump shot | |||
10:19 | Defensive rebound by Nicolas Batum | |||
10:10 | +2 | Kemba Walker made jump shot, assist by Nicolas Batum | 2-4 | |
9:54 | +2 | D.J. Augustin made layup | 4-4 | |
9:33 | Defensive rebound by Aaron Gordon | |||
9:28 | Wesley Iwundu missed driving layup, blocked by Kemba Walker | |||
9:28 | ORL team rebound | |||
9:25 | +2 | Evan Fournier made layup, assist by Wesley Iwundu | 6-4 | |
9:09 | +2 | Dwayne Bacon made driving layup, assist by Nicolas Batum | 6-6 | |
8:53 | Offensive rebound by Khem Birch | |||
8:50 | Wesley Iwundu missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
8:47 | Defensive rebound by Nicolas Batum | |||
8:43 | Personal foul on Wesley Iwundu | |||
8:39 | +3 | Kemba Walker made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Miles Bridges | 6-9 | |
8:06 | Dwayne Bacon missed jump shot | |||
7:59 | +2 | Bismack Biyombo made dunk | 6-11 | |
7:40 | +2 | Evan Fournier made driving layup | 8-11 | |
7:16 | +2 | Miles Bridges made running Jump Shot, assist by Dwayne Bacon | 8-13 | |
6:54 | D.J. Augustin missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
6:51 | Defensive rebound by Dwayne Bacon | |||
6:47 | Kemba Walker missed driving layup | |||
6:47 | Offensive rebound by Bismack Biyombo | |||
6:47 | Shooting foul on Khem Birch | |||
6:47 | +1 | Bismack Biyombo made 1st of 2 free throws | 8-14 | |
6:44 | Defensive rebound by Khem Birch | |||
6:32 | Personal foul on Jeremy Lamb | |||
6:25 | Evan Fournier missed jump shot | |||
6:15 | +2 | Bismack Biyombo made layup, assist by Kemba Walker | 8-16 | |
5:49 | +2 | Wesley Iwundu made dunk, assist by Khem Birch | 10-16 | |
5:32 | Kemba Walker missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
5:28 | Defensive rebound by Aaron Gordon | |||
5:20 | +2 | Wesley Iwundu made jump shot | 12-16 | |
4:56 | Shooting foul on Evan Fournier | |||
4:56 | +1 | Jeremy Lamb made 1st of 2 free throws | 12-17 | |
4:56 | +1 | Jeremy Lamb made 2nd of 2 free throws | 12-18 | |
4:44 | Shooting foul on Bismack Biyombo | |||
4:44 | +1 | Aaron Gordon made 1st of 2 free throws | 13-18 | |
4:44 | +1 | Aaron Gordon made 2nd of 2 free throws | 14-18 | |
4:25 | Defensive rebound by Aaron Gordon | |||
4:08 | +2 | D.J. Augustin made driving layup | 16-18 | |
3:54 | Frank Kaminsky missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
3:51 | Defensive rebound by D.J. Augustin | |||
3:44 | Shooting foul on Frank Kaminsky | |||
3:44 | D.J. Augustin missed 1st of 2 free throws | |||
3:44 | +1 | D.J. Augustin made 2nd of 2 free throws | 17-18 | |
3:35 | Personal foul on Khem Birch | |||
3:26 | Kemba Walker missed jump shot | |||
3:23 | Defensive rebound by Michael Carter-Williams | |||
3:12 | +2 | Jarell Martin made jump shot, assist by Michael Carter-Williams | 19-18 | |
2:58 | +2 | Kemba Walker made driving layup | 19-20 | |
2:36 | Aaron Gordon missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
2:27 | +3 | Jeremy Lamb made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Devonte' Graham | 19-23 | |
2:10 | +2 | Terrence Ross made jump shot | 21-23 | |
1:40 | +2 | Terrence Ross made floating jump shot | 23-23 | |
1:20 | Malik Monk missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
1:17 | Defensive rebound by Jarell Martin | |||
1:04 | +2 | Terrence Ross made jump shot | 25-23 | |
0:39 | Defensive rebound by Amile Jefferson | |||
0:31 | +3 | Terrence Ross made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Michael Carter-Williams | 28-23 | |
0:16 | Personal foul on Amile Jefferson | |||
0:16 | +1 | Frank Kaminsky made 1st of 2 free throws | 28-24 | |
0:16 | +1 | Frank Kaminsky made 2nd of 2 free throws | 28-25 | |
0:01 | Shooting foul on Jeremy Lamb | |||
0:01 | +1 | Terrence Ross made 1st of 2 free throws | 29-25 | |
0:01 | +1 | Terrence Ross made 2nd of 2 free throws | 30-25 | |
0:00 | CHA team rebound | |||
0:00 | End of period |
Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
11:47 | Jarell Martin missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
11:43 | Defensive rebound by Jeremy Lamb | |||
11:31 | Shooting foul on Terrence Ross | |||
11:31 | +1 | Jeremy Lamb made 1st of 2 free throws | 30-26 | |
11:31 | +1 | Jeremy Lamb made 2nd of 2 free throws | 30-27 | |
11:22 | Shooting foul on Malik Monk | |||
11:22 | Michael Carter-Williams missed 1st of 2 free throws | |||
11:22 | ORL team rebound | |||
11:22 | +1 | Michael Carter-Williams made 2nd of 2 free throws | 31-27 | |
10:55 | Frank Kaminsky missed jump shot | |||
10:52 | Defensive rebound by Amile Jefferson | |||
10:34 | Personal foul on Amile Jefferson | |||
10:24 | Miles Bridges missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
10:21 | Defensive rebound by Terrence Ross | |||
10:10 | +2 | Amile Jefferson made hook shot, assist by Michael Carter-Williams | 36-27 | |
9:55 | Defensive rebound by Jarell Martin | |||
9:49 | Shooting foul on Frank Kaminsky | |||
9:49 | +1 | Terrence Ross made 1st of 3 free throws | 37-27 | |
9:49 | +1 | Terrence Ross made 2nd of 3 free throws | 38-27 | |
9:49 | +1 | Terrence Ross made 3rd of 3 free throws | 39-27 | |
9:29 | Evan Fournier missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
9:23 | Defensive rebound by Devonte' Graham | |||
9:18 | +2 | Kemba Walker made layup, assist by Devonte' Graham | 39-29 | |
9:04 | +2 | Evan Fournier made floating jump shot | 41-29 | |
8:40 | +2 | Jeremy Lamb made jump shot | 41-31 | |
8:19 | Defensive rebound by Jeremy Lamb | |||
8:07 | Personal foul on Devonte' Graham | |||
8:02 | Terrence Ross missed jump shot | |||
7:45 | Jeremy Lamb missed jump shot | |||
7:36 | Michael Carter-Williams missed layup | |||
7:34 | Defensive rebound by Miles Bridges | |||
7:31 | Personal foul | |||
7:31 | Bismack Biyombo missed 1st of 2 free throws | |||
7:20 | Michael Carter-Williams missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
7:14 | Offensive rebound by Terrence Ross | |||
7:14 | +2 | Terrence Ross made dunk | 45-32 | |
7:03 | +2 | Kemba Walker made driving layup | 45-34 | |
6:54 | +2 | Evan Fournier made driving layup, assist by Michael Carter-Williams | 47-34 | |
6:39 | Shooting foul on Jarell Martin | |||
6:39 | +1 | Miles Bridges made 1st of 2 free throws | 47-35 | |
6:39 | +1 | Miles Bridges made 2nd of 2 free throws | 47-36 | |
6:23 | Shooting foul on Bismack Biyombo | |||
6:07 | +1 | Kemba Walker made 1st of 2 free throws | 49-37 | |
6:07 | +1 | Kemba Walker made 2nd of 2 free throws | 49-38 | |
5:54 | Shooting foul on Malik Monk | |||
5:54 | Michael Carter-Williams missed 1st of 2 free throws | |||
5:54 | ORL team rebound | |||
5:23 | Offensive foul on Aaron Gordon | |||
5:23 | Turnover on Aaron Gordon | |||
5:02 | Defensive rebound by Malik Monk | |||
4:58 | +2 | Malik Monk made layup | 50-40 | |
4:27 | +3 | D.J. Augustin made 3-pt. jump shot | 53-40 | |
4:17 | Personal foul on D.J. Augustin | |||
4:17 | +1 | Kemba Walker made 1st of 2 free throws | 53-41 | |
4:17 | +1 | Kemba Walker made 2nd of 2 free throws | 53-42 | |
3:54 | Wesley Iwundu missed driving layup | |||
3:51 | Defensive rebound by Miles Bridges | |||
3:43 | +2 | Kemba Walker made finger-roll layup | 53-44 | |
3:24 | +2 | Aaron Gordon made dunk, assist by Wesley Iwundu | 55-44 | |
3:05 | +3 | Jeremy Lamb made 3-pt. jump shot | 55-47 | |
2:44 | +3 | Wesley Iwundu made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Evan Fournier | 58-47 | |
2:22 | +2 | Jeremy Lamb made jump shot | 58-49 | |
2:01 | Aaron Gordon missed jump shot | |||
1:57 | Offensive rebound by Amile Jefferson | |||
1:52 | D.J. Augustin missed driving layup | |||
1:50 | Defensive rebound by Jeremy Lamb | |||
1:46 | +2 | Miles Bridges made dunk, assist by Kemba Walker | 58-51 | |
1:20 | +2 | Aaron Gordon made jump shot, assist by Evan Fournier | 60-51 | |
1:08 | +2 | Kemba Walker made driving layup | 60-53 | |
0:48 | +2 | D.J. Augustin made jump shot | 62-53 | |
0:48 | Violation | |||
0:34 | +3 | Kemba Walker made 3-pt. jump shot | 62-56 | |
0:26 | D.J. Augustin missed driving layup, blocked by Miles Bridges | |||
0:23 | Defensive rebound by Bismack Biyombo | |||
0:00 | Offensive foul on D.J. Augustin | |||
0:00 | Turnover on D.J. Augustin |