The Charlotte Hornets became a franchise in the NBA during the 1988-89 season. Since then, Charlotte made the playoffs 10 times, with seven of those happening before the 2002-03 season. Granted, the relocated Hornets aka the New Orleans Hornets made the playoffs in 2002.
The last time Charlotte made the playoffs was back in 2014-15. The Hornets have had one winning season since, which occurred the second season of LaMelo Ball’s career. Since the 2016-17 season, there have been three head coaches, but there’s serious optimism for Charlotte this season, despite a record of 26-29, placing the Hornets ninth in the Eastern Conference.
Below is how the Hornets have fared on offense and defense since the Ball era began:
| Year | Offensive Rating | Defensive Rating |
| 2025-26 | 9 | 16 |
| 2024-25 | 29 | 24 |
| 2023-24 | 28 | 29 |
| 2022-23 | 30 | 20 |
| 2021-22 | 8 | 22 |
| 2020-21 | 23 | 16 |
That 2021-22 Hornets team finished 43-39, 10th in the Eastern Conference. The Play-In tournament was in existence then, but Charlotte was soundly defeated by Atlanta and did not make the official playoff tournament.
This iteration of the Hornets is second in three-point makes (15.4 per game), fourth in three-point attempts (41.4), fifth in three-point percentage (37.3%), second in free throw percentage (82.1%), seventh in offensive rebounds (12.4), sixth in defensive rebounds (33.6) and sixth in total rebounds (46).
On defense, the 113.8 points allowed are 11th, the 16.5 free throw makes and 20.6 free throw attempts are the fewest, the 10.2 offensive rebounds allowed are tied for the second-fewest and the 39.5 total rebounds are the fewest.
The season did not begin well, starting 4-14, but the Hornets won 10 of 11 games before the All-Star break, including nine in a row. Sure, there were some cheapies, but a 27-point win over Orlando and a 37-point win over Philadelphia are no joke. Neither are victories over San Antonio and Houston.
According to Tankathon, Charlotte has the 17th-hardest strength of schedule the rest of the way. Chicago is 11th in the Eastern Conference and the strength of schedule is fourth-hardest. Milwaukee is 12th in the Eastern Conference and the strength of schedule is 20th-hardest. Charlotte is two games up on Milwaukee right now.
DraftKings Sportsbook has Charlotte at -145 to make the playoffs.
Barring injury, I like what I’ve seen from Charlotte and am bullish for their playoff prospects. I do worry somewhat about the youth and high turnovers (15 – fourth most), but the Hornets are excellent on the boards, can win the math game from beyond the arc, don’t foul and make free throws. The Kon Knueppel/Brandon Miller pairing has been chef’s kiss while the energy/hustle of Moussa Diabate combined with the size and length of Ryan Kalkbrenner has provided optionality.
