Hornets Slow the Nets Down

David Wesley had a big red knot on his forehead and a splitting headache. He had ice packs on both knees and his right elbow while his feet soaked in water.

As long as the Charlotte Hornets won, it was all worth it.

Wesley shook off a head-to-head collision with Jason Kidd, then lifted Charlotte back into the Eastern Conference semifinals by scoring 22 points and providing an emotional spark in the Hornets’ 115-97 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Thursday night.

“I’ve got a headache and I’m feeling kind of numb,” he said. “But I knew I could continue to play, and with the season on the line, there was no way I wouldn’t.”

Baron Davis scored 26 points, Jamaal Magloire added 16 points and six blocked shots, and George Lynch had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Hornets, who trail the Nets, 2-1, in the best-of-seven series. Game 4 is Sunday at Charlotte.

Kidd, who needed stitches to close a gash over his right eye following the collision with Wesley late in the first half, scored only 13 points. He played only five minutes and scored four points after smacking his head.

New Jersey’s trainers said “they lost count” of how many stitches Kidd needed and the guard did not answer questions after the game. He was escorted out of the locker room and walked with his head down straight to the bus.

“Jason’s injury did have an impact on the game and it was a negative one,” said the Nets’ Kenyon Martin, who had 13 points. “When your leader goes down, it’s kind of hard to swallow.”

Kidd was dribbling the ball up court when Davis poked it away from behind. As Kidd reached to his left to get it back, Wesley stepped in front of him and the two hit heads.

Kidd, blood streaming down his face, walked to the locker room with a towel covering his face. Wesley was on the court for several minutes before being helped to his feet.

Richard Jefferson led the Nets with 16 points.

The game was played on the eve of the NBA owners’ scheduled vote on Charlotte’s relocation request and it is an expected formality, with approval of the Hornets’ move to New Orleans all but guaranteed.

The pending departure of the 14-year-old franchise failed to increase the crowd as just 11,363 turned out in one of the Hornets’ final games in Charlotte but they were loud and even rowdy.