Charlotte Hornets on the Brink of a Three-Year Postseason Return The Charlotte Hornets have endured a prolonged drought without a postseason appearance, a situation that has tested the patience of fans and the organization alike. After a disastrous 4-14 start to the 2024-25 season, many feared another lost year in the Queen City. However, the Hornets have staged one of the most remarkable mid-season turnarounds in NBA history, transforming from a struggling team into a competitive force. This resurgence has reignited hope for the franchise and its supporters, who have long awaited a return to relevance. The Hornets’ turnaround has been nothing short of extraordinary. Since their rocky start, the team has compiled a 36-22 record, pushing them to 40-36 with six games remaining in the regular season. A victory in their upcoming matchup against the Phoenix Suns would secure a winning record for the first time since the 2021-22 season. This achievement would mark the first non-losing season in Charlotte since that campaign, a milestone that carries significant historical weight. The 2021-22 season remains a high point for the Hornets, as they finished with a 43-39 record and reached the first play-in game against the Atlanta Hawks. That year, LaMelo Ball played a career-high 75 games and earned his lone All-Star selection. Key contributors like Terry Rozier III, Miles Bridges, Gordon Hayward, Montrezl Harrell, and PJ Washington Jr. all averaged double-digit points, forming a core that gave the team a fighting chance. However, the Hornets’ playoff run ended in heartbreak, as they fell to Atlanta in the play-in game. In the years following that season, the Hornets struggled to maintain their momentum. From 2022-23 to 2023-24, the team posted losing records of 27-55, 21-61, and 19-63, respectively.#miles_bridges #charlotte_hornets #la_melo_ball #gordon_hayward #terry_rozier_iii
Knicks Seek To Extend Winning Streak Against Hot Hornets In March 26 Matchup The New York Knicks aim to continue their winning streak as they travel to Charlotte to face the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The game, set for 7 p.m. ET at Spectrum Center, marks the second meeting between the teams this season, with the Knicks holding a 2-0 advantage in the series. The teams last played on December 3, 2025, when New York defeated Charlotte 119-104 at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks, currently sitting at 48-25, have won seven consecutive games, including a 121-116 victory over the Pelicans on Tuesday. The Hornets, with a 38-34 record, are riding a four-game winning streak and have gone 7-3 in their last 10 contests. The Hornets’ offense has been a key factor in their recent success, ranking fourth in the league in offensive rating while maintaining a solid 12th-ranked defensive rating. They average 116.4 points per game and allow 111.8, giving them the sixth-best net rating in the league. LaMelo Ball, the team’s primary playmaker, leads the way with 19.7 points and 7.1 assists per game, while Brandon Miller contributes 20.3 points and 39% shooting from beyond the arc. Miles Bridges, a versatile forward, averages 17.2 points and 5.9 rebounds, and rookie Kon Knueppel, likely to start despite a back injury, adds shooting depth. The Hornets’ expected starting lineup includes Ball, Miller, Knueppel, Bridges, and Moussa Diabaté, who averages 8.2 points and 8.8 rebounds. The Knicks, however, face challenges on the injury front. Miles McBride and Landry Shamet are listed as out due to ankle and knee injuries, respectively. The Hornets also have Tidjane Salaun out with a calf injury, while Pat Connaughton’s status is questionable due to illness.#new_york_knicks #miles_bridges #charlotte_hornets #la_melo_ball #spectrum_center
Charlotte Hornets vs Phoenix Suns injury report: Who's playing, injured and questionable players, head-to-head records, team stats, and more (March 8, 2026) The Charlotte Hornets and Phoenix Suns are set to face off on March 8, 2026, in a late-season matchup scheduled for 10:00 ET. Both teams are vying for playoff positioning as the NBA regular season approaches its final stretch. Charlotte, fighting to secure a spot in the Eastern Conference play-in picture, faces a challenge with limited depth due to injuries. Phoenix, meanwhile, remains in a tight Western Conference race but also grapples with multiple key absences. The availability of players and the effectiveness of their rotations could heavily influence the outcome of the game. For the Hornets, the injury report shows minimal impact on their active roster, with only one player listed as out. Tidjane Salaun is sidelined with a left calf strain, while several younger players are with the G League. This allows LaMelo Ball to remain in the lineup as the team’s primary playmaker. The Hornets’ roster includes Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller as key scorers, with Collin Sexton, acquired in a trade with Utah, adding depth at the guard position. The frontcourt features Mason Plumlee and Moussa Diabate, though Mark Williams and Nick Richards were traded to Phoenix earlier in the season. The Suns, however, face a more significant challenge with multiple injuries affecting their rotation. Dillon Brooks is out with a left hand fracture, Jordan Goodwin is sidelined due to a left calf strain, and Mark Williams is unavailable with a left foot injury. Grayson Allen is listed as probable with a right knee issue, but the team will rely heavily on Devin Booker, who remains their top scoring threat.#charlotte_hornets #phoenix_suns #la_melo_ball #devin_booker #miles_bridges
