The Charlotte Hornets may be sitting at 19-28 halfway through the NBA season, but don’t let that record fool you - there’s a pulse in Buzz City, and it’s getting stronger by the game. LaMelo Ball’s return to form has injected life into this young roster, and now, even Charles Barkley is buying in. On Inside the NBA, Barkley made it clear: he’s not just predicting a play-in appearance anymore - he’s calling a full-on playoff berth for the Hornets.
“Change it, the Hornets are gonna be in the playoffs,” Barkley said, shifting his stance from earlier in the season when he had them pegged as a play-in team at best.
That’s a bold statement, especially with Charlotte currently sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference standings. They’re chasing the Atlanta Hawks (23-25) and Chicago Bulls (23-23) for that crucial 10th spot - the final ticket to the play-in tournament. But if you’ve been watching this team closely, Barkley’s optimism doesn’t sound so far-fetched.
LaMelo 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 steering the offense with his signature flair and vision. But it’s not just Ball - Charlotte’s got a few other pieces that are starting to click.
🗣️ 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
Brandon Miller is quietly putting together a breakout sophomore campaign, averaging 20.5 points per game. He’s showing the kind of scoring versatility that made him a top draft pick, and his confidence on the offensive end is growing by the week.
Then there’s Kon Knueppel, the rookie who’s quickly making a name for himself. He’s earned a spot in the NBA Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend, and it’s well deserved.
Knueppel is averaging 18.8 points per game and playing with the kind of poise that belies his age. He’s not just putting up numbers - he’s impacting games.
Veteran guard Collin Sexton is also giving Charlotte a steady scoring punch, averaging 13.7 points per game while knocking down nearly 40% of his shots from beyond the arc. His ability to stretch the floor and bring energy off the bench has been a key asset for a team still finding its identity.
But what’s really turning heads is Charlotte’s commitment on the defensive end. Since November 28, they’ve posted the 10th-best defense in the league - a stat that speaks volumes about their growth. They’ve been particularly sharp at running teams off the three-point line, forcing opponents into tougher, less efficient shots.
And offensively? Prior to Monday, Charlotte ranked third in the NBA in offensive efficiency, scoring 118.2 points per 100 possessions. That’s elite territory - and it’s a sign that this team isn’t just surviving; they’re figuring out how to win on both ends of the floor.
If this young core continues to gel - and if Ball can stay healthy - there’s a real shot that Charlotte could crash the playoff party for the first time since 2016. The East is wide open in the middle of the pack, and the Hornets are lurking, armed with talent, momentum, and a growing belief that they belong in the postseason conversation.