The only thing more fulfilling than a season-opening road win? Completely shutting down your opponent on the defensive end in the process. The Charlotte Hornets pulled no punches with the San Antonio Spurs, as Kelly Oubre Jr. kicks things off picking Jakob Poeltl’s pocket and going coast-to-coast for an and-one opportunity. Mason Plumlee also thwarts Poeltl with a block at the basket and the squad similarly denies Jeremy Sochan twice underneath. Dennis Smith Jr. gets the last laugh by getting out in front of a lazy pass before rewarding himself at the other end with a layup. The Hornets picked up seven steals and 10 blocks while forcing the Spurs into turning it over 15 times and shooting just 7 of 34 beyond the arc in the 129-102 season-opening victory on October 19, 2022.
