NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Marcus Thornton's tip-in with 16 seconds left gave New Orleans a five-point lead Wednesday and the Hornets staged a huge comeback to edge Sacramento 94-91.
The Kings led by 23 points early in the third quarter but gave way to what turned out to be the largest rally in the history of the New Orleans franchise.
New Orleans battled its way in front by three points in the closing moments but Thornton missed a jumper and a Sacramento rebound in that situation could have given the Kings a chance to shoot for the tie.
Thornton, however, went to the basket to claim his own rebound and tipped it in to clinch the victory.
Chris Paul had 22 points and 11 assists while Thornton scored 19 points off the bench.
Sacramento, which has only one win in its last dozen games, got 22 points from Tyreke Evans and 20 from Beno Udrih.
The Hornets limited the Kings to 14 points in the final period.
