The Hornets Are Heating Up - And It’s No Fluke
Don’t look now, but the Charlotte Hornets are the hottest team in the NBA.
Winners of nine straight heading into Monday night, the Hornets are suddenly a team nobody wants to face. They've knocked off the Rockets, Spurs, Magic, 76ers, and most recently the Hawks, climbing to 25-28 on the season - just three games out of the No. 7 seed in the East.
For a franchise that won only 19 games last year, this turnaround is more than just a feel-good story. It’s a full-on revival.
And the buzz is growing - literally. Monday night’s home matchup against the top-seeded Pistons is drawing a packed house, not just in the stands, but in the media section too.
For a small-market team like Charlotte, that’s a sign. The league is paying attention.
A Healthier, Sharper Hornets Squad
So what’s changed?
Start with health. LaMelo Ball is on pace to play his most games since Year 2, and that alone has transformed the offense.
Brandon Miller is healthy and thriving, leading the team in scoring at 20.3 points per game. And then there’s Kon Knueppel - the rookie sharpshooter who’s lived up to every bit of the hype.
If it weren’t for Cooper Flagg’s otherworldly debut season, Knueppel would be the clear-cut Rookie of the Year frontrunner.
This trio - Ball, Miller, and Knueppel - has become the engine behind Charlotte’s resurgence. All three can shoot the three, handle the ball, and make plays off the dribble. That versatility is a nightmare for defenses and a dream for an offense that’s found its rhythm.
A New Identity on Offense
But this isn’t the same Hornets team that tried to outrun everyone back in 2021-22. That group leaned on pace and transition.
This one? It’s all about precision.
Charlotte ranks near the bottom of the league in transition frequency - they’re not trying to win track meets. Instead, they’re carving teams up in the halfcourt with elite ball movement, smart screening, and deadly 3-point shooting. During this nine-game win streak, they’re first in offensive rating, fifth in defense, and second in 3-point percentage (39.9%).
That’s a massive leap from last season, when they were near the bottom of the league in 3-point efficiency despite taking a high volume. The difference?
Health, yes - but also Knueppel. Among players averaging at least five threes per game and logging 30 minutes a night, Knueppel ranks third in the league in 3-point percentage - ahead of even Steph Curry.
It’s not just the shooting, though. It’s the way they’re generating those shots.
Take a possession from their win over Atlanta. Knueppel sets a screen for Ball, forcing both defenders to collapse on the drive.
The ball swings to Miles Bridges in the corner, who quickly kicks it back to Knueppel on the wing. Wide open.
Splash. That’s the kind of unselfish, read-and-react basketball that’s fueling this run.
Ball and Miller: The Duo is Clicking
We’re also finally seeing the Ball-Miller pairing blossom. Injuries stalled their chemistry early on, but now that they’re both healthy, the synergy is undeniable.
Miller screening for Ball, popping out, and drilling a tough three over Victor Wembanyama? That’s not just talent - that’s trust and timing.
The Hornets are forcing defenses to make tough choices. Stick with the shooters and risk getting beat off the dribble, or collapse and watch the ball whip around to an open man. Either way, Charlotte’s making teams pay.
The Frontcourt’s Doing the Dirty Work
While the backcourt and wings are getting most of the attention, the bigs are quietly doing their job. Moussa Diabate has developed into a reliable pick-and-roll partner, and rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner is making his presence felt on the glass. Together, they’ve helped Charlotte rank fourth in second-chance points - a crucial edge for a team that thrives on spacing and perimeter shooting.
Trade Deadline Boost: Enter Coby White
Just before the deadline, Charlotte made a move that could pay big dividends down the stretch - acquiring Coby White from Chicago in exchange for Collin Sexton. White brings scoring punch, shooting (36.8% career from deep), and the ability to slide into either a sixth-man role or step into the starting lineup when needed.
He’s younger than Sexton, a smoother fit alongside Ball, and gives the Hornets another weapon in a suddenly deep rotation.
From Basement to Playoff Push
Since starting the season 9-20, Charlotte has gone 16-8 - tied with the Celtics for the second-best record in the league over that span. That’s not a hot streak. That’s a trend.
And in an Eastern Conference that’s wide open after the top few seeds, the Hornets are right in the thick of it. If the playoffs started today, they’d still be on the outside looking in. But with momentum, health, and a roster finally built to maximize Ball’s unique skill set, they’ve got a real shot to end a playoff drought that dates back to 2016.
A few months ago, there were whispers about Charlotte potentially moving on from LaMelo Ball. Now? He’s the centerpiece of a team that’s finally found its identity - and its confidence.
The Hornets are no longer a rebuilding project. They’re a problem. And if this run is any indication, they’re just getting started.