The Charlotte Hornets may be sitting at 19-28 as we hit the midpoint of the NBA season, but don’t let that record fool you - there’s real momentum building in Buzz City. And if you ask Charles Barkley, that momentum is playoff-bound.
On a recent episode of Inside the NBA, Barkley didn’t just suggest the Hornets could sneak into the play-in - he went a step further: “Change it, the Hornets are gonna be in the playoffs.” That’s a bold swing, but it’s not without merit. There’s a lot to like about what’s quietly brewing in Charlotte.
🗣️ Charles Barkley: "Change it... the Hornets are gonna be in the PLAYOFFS!" https://t.co/YWsmZPMbDK pic.twitter.com/RxDR0qXwJ3
— r/CharlotteHornets (@HornetsReddit) January 29, 2026
Let’s start with the obvious spark: LaMelo Ball. After missing time earlier in the season, Ball is back and making his presence felt.
He’s averaging 19.1 points and 7.6 assists per game, and more importantly, he’s reasserting himself as the engine of this team. His creativity, pace, and feel for the game have given Charlotte a needed jolt - and it’s showing up in the win column.
But Ball’s not doing it alone. Brandon Miller is stepping into his own in year one, and he’s doing it with poise and polish.
The rookie is averaging 20.5 points per game and has consistently looked like a future star. He’s not just putting up numbers - he’s doing it efficiently, with confidence, and in big moments.
That’s the kind of development that changes a franchise’s trajectory.
And speaking of rookies, don’t overlook Kon Knueppel. The first-year guard has been turning heads all season, and his recent selection to the NBA Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend is well deserved.
He’s averaging 18.8 points per game and giving Charlotte another dynamic option on the perimeter. Between Miller and Knueppel, the Hornets are building a young core that can score in bunches - and grow together.
Veteran presence? Check.
Collin Sexton is providing exactly what you want from a seasoned guard: 13.7 points per game and nearly 40% shooting from beyond the arc. He’s spacing the floor, bringing energy, and giving the Hornets a steady hand in the backcourt rotation.
But what’s really turning heads around the league is Charlotte’s commitment on the defensive end. Since November 28, the Hornets rank 10th in the NBA in defensive rating - a dramatic shift for a team not exactly known for its grit in recent years. They’ve been particularly effective at limiting opponents’ looks from deep, a crucial edge in today’s perimeter-heavy game.
And here’s the kicker: before Monday, Charlotte was also ranked third in offensive efficiency, posting 118.2 points per 100 possessions. That’s elite territory. When you combine that kind of offensive firepower with a top-10 defense over a two-month stretch, you’re not just treading water - you’re swimming toward the postseason.
Currently sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference, the Hornets are chasing the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls for that all-important 10th seed and a shot at the play-in tournament. But with the way this team is trending - and with Ball healthy, Miller ascending, and Knueppel emerging - they’re not just hoping to sneak in. They’re building something.
It’s been a long road since Charlotte’s last playoff appearance in 2016, but this group is giving fans a reason to believe again. The pieces are there.
The chemistry is growing. And if they keep this up, Barkley’s bold prediction might not be so bold after all.