The Hornets and Wizards meet again tonight in an NBA Cup rematch, and the setup looks different than it did when Charlotte squeezed out that tight win a few days ago.
Charlotte comes in at 3-2 and still trying to stay on the right side of .500, but the injury picture is not especially friendly. Kon Knueppel is not back yet, Coby White and Grant Williams remain sidelined, and Dennis Schröder is questionable. That leaves the Hornets in a spot where they may have to piece together a lot again just to stay competitive.
Washington, meanwhile, has AJ Dybantsa back after the number one overall pick made his debut and looked great. That alone could matter a lot in a game that was already decided by a narrow margin. The Wizards are 2-3 and looking to get back to .500 themselves.
The Hornets on SI staff leans toward Washington flipping the script at home. One prediction has the Wizards opening Cup play with a 1-0 record, pointing to Charlotte’s shaky offensive production through five games and suggesting Brandon Miller may be due for a step back after three straight 30-point nights.
Another preview sees the matchup tilting if Schröder can’t play, with the Wizards gaining a major edge against rookie Christian Anderson Jr. in the backcourt. The Hornets’ defense has been solid, but the offense has not carried its weight, and that formula is tough to trust twice in one week against the same opponent.
There’s also the argument that Charlotte’s luck could finally run out. The Hornets have managed to steal a few wins while undermanned and inefficient on offense, but Washington now has one of the best rookies in the sport available, and that changes the feel of the rematch.
Even the more cautious Hornets projections circle back to the same issue: depth can keep Charlotte close, and Miller has been rolling, but it may not be enough. If Schröder sits, one prediction says things could get ugly on both ends. Another notes that even if he does play, the Hornets may not have enough firepower to match Trae Young, AJ Dybantsa, and Anthony Davis.
Charlotte has reason to believe it can hang around, especially after beating Washington four days ago and with Miller having completely dominated that matchup. Still, the consensus from the staff leans toward a close Wizards win, with Washington getting a little payback at home and Charlotte taking another narrow loss.
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Naz Reid Suddenly Faces Pressure In Charlotte After Costly Message
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Lee made clear after the game that the issue was not just about performance, but about Reid not meeting the level the staff expects. The two addressed it afterward and said they are moving forward, though the episode leaves Charlotte with another reminder that even in a season of development, the details off the box score can carry real weight. [Read more 🡒]
Hornets Open NBA Cup With A Rotation Problem They Can't Ignore
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Dennis Schrder is also on the report with a right foot issue, and that could leave Charlotte dangerously thin at point guard if he cannot go. Washington has its own injury concerns, but the Wizards also arrive with a new wrinkle in rookie AJ Dybantsa, who made his NBA debut and scored 19 points against Cleveland on 8-of-12 shooting, giving this matchup a little extra intrigue even before the Hornets settle their rotation. [Read more 🡒]
Hornets Face An Early Test As Wizards Hype Starts Building
The Hornets are walking into an early-season NBA Cup test with a little extra buzz around the other side, as Washington gets ready to showcase AJ Dybantsa in his home debut. Dybantsa missed the start of the season with a left ankle sprain, then came back and scored 19 points in his first game back, giving the Wizards a fresh jolt as they try to build on a 2-3 start.
Charlotte has handled this matchup well lately, winning the last five meetings with Washington, which adds a little edge to a game that already carries some tournament weight. For the Hornets, it is another chance to see whether that recent run against the Wizards can keep holding up, even with a healthier and more energized version of Washington coming into the building. [Read more 🡒]