After a dominating display of basketball after the turn of the calendar year, the Charlotte Hornets — for reasons unknown — reverted back to their immature, frustrating and irresponsible ways during the play-in tournament.
LaMelo Ball grabbed the ankle of Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo as he was in the air, causing the 6-foot-9 big man to fall on his back and miss the rest of the game, which the Hornets won.
Ball, who should have been ejected, stayed in the game, which left a sour taste in the mouths of NBA observers.
One game later in Orlando, the Hornets completely imploded. Miles Bridges, a man with a stark and dark history of violence, was seen clearly hitting Magic guard Desmond Bane when both of them were on the floor, fighting for a loose ball.
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Once again, the call turned in favor of Charlotte, with Bridges staying in the game, only this time, no advantage seemed to matter.
The Hornets could barely produce points, and their defensive symmetry was entirely nonexistent.
For a team that so many favored to make the playoffs, sympathy turned — and quickly — due to the return of its bad habits and general lack of maturity.
2025-26 finish
Record: 44-38, 9th in the Eastern Conference. Eliminated by the Orlando Magic in the play-in tournament.
Highlight of the season
The in-season turnaround showed this team does have the technical capabilities to achieve more than what has otherwise been expected of them, which only makes the end to the season so disappointing. The Hornets went 33-16 from Jan. 1 on, outscoring opponents by an average of 10.2 points per game, signaling considerable upside.
Players signed for next season
LaMelo Ball
Miles Bridges
Josh Green
Grant Williams
Brandon Miller
Kon Knueppel
Tre Mann
Tidjane Salaün
Liam McNeeley
Ryan Kalkbrenner
Sion James
Key free agents
Coby White (UFA)
Moussa Diabaté (Non-guaranteed)
Projected salary
$142,124,695
Projected draft picks
Nos. 14 & 17
Draft focus: While the Hornets did find success at the center position with both Diabaté and Kalkbrenner this season, they can afford to think bigger. Should Michigan’s Aday Mara be available, his 7-3 frame should be enormously attractive for this young team, particularly from a defensive perspective.
The team is currently projected to have access to the full non-tax MLE if it re-signs Coby White, which seems to be the plan. The Hornets have virtually all of their key players under contract and clean books. They’re in good shape financially.
Needs and goals
The Hornets need an adult in the room. There has to be a culture change within the locker room, and it likely starts by removing Bridges to some extent. Loading up on cheap veterans, with high locker-room and leadership value, should be of the utmost importance.
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