The Charlotte Hornets are officially the hottest team in the NBA right now. With their latest win over the Atlanta Hawks, they've pushed their winning streak to nine straight - the longest active run in the league. That streak now stands alone atop the NBA landscape after the Knicks’ recent blowout loss snapped their own impressive eight-game surge.
But don’t expect this Hornets squad to get caught up in the hype. They’ve made it clear: this isn’t the finish line - it’s just the beginning.
A Streak Worth Celebrating, But Not a Ceiling
At 25-28 through 53 games, the Hornets currently sit 10th in the Eastern Conference. That puts them in the thick of the Play-In Tournament picture, a spot that would’ve seemed like a stretch just a few weeks ago.
But this team isn’t just happy to be in the conversation. They want more.
This nine-game streak has been about more than just wins - it’s been about identity. The Hornets are playing with purpose, with poise, and most importantly, with belief.
They’ve shown they can go toe-to-toe with playoff-caliber teams and come out on top. But as Miles Bridges emphasized after their latest victory, they know how quickly momentum can shift in this league.
“Making sure we don’t get complacent... Just doing the little things that got us here,” Bridges said.
“If we focus on that, then we're gonna be in the game with anybody. We've shown that we can beat teams that are good teams, playoff teams, and we want to keep that going.”
That’s the mindset of a veteran who’s seen the ups and downs. Bridges, the longest-tenured player on the roster, has been through the rebuilds, the heartbreaks, and the near-misses. He understands that a nine-game streak in February doesn’t guarantee anything in April - but it can be the foundation for something bigger.
A Statement Win Over a Rising Hawks Team
Saturday’s 126-119 win over the Hawks wasn’t just another tally in the win column - it was a gut-check game against a team led by first-time All-Star Jalen Johnson and featuring six players in double figures. Atlanta brought the firepower, but the Hornets had the answers.
It was a balanced performance from Charlotte, but two names stood out: Miles Bridges and rookie Kon Knueppel. Bridges did what he’s been doing all season - leading with intensity and production.
Knueppel, meanwhile, continues to show why the Hornets are so high on his future. His confidence and poise in big moments are way ahead of schedule for a first-year player.
Games like this - where the team gets challenged, where the opponent punches back - are where winning habits are built. And the Hornets are starting to look like a group that knows how to win in different ways.
Eyes on the Bigger Picture
Let’s be clear: the Hornets aren’t patting themselves on the back just yet. They’re still under .500.
They’re still fighting for a Play-In spot. But what’s changed is the tone around this team.
There’s a belief now - not just in the locker room, but on the floor. They’re playing like a team with something to prove, and they’re backing it up night after night.
This streak may not define their season, but it’s reshaping their trajectory. And if they keep doing the “little things,” as Bridges put it - staying locked in, playing unselfish basketball, and defending with purpose - they’re going to be a problem for anyone in the East.
For now, the Hornets are flying high. But if you listen to the voices inside that locker room, they’re just getting started.