The Charlotte Hornets get another crack at a division opponent tonight, and they’ll be trying to wash away the memory of a 47-point blowout loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
The problem is that Miami doesn’t look like the kind of matchup that lets Charlotte exhale. The Hornets were lifeless offensively last night, and there’s no indication that the problems disappear simply because the opponent changed.
Brandon Miller has been out of rhythm in his first two games of the season, and when he tries to shoulder too much of the burden, it hasn’t worked. The sense here is that he won’t find his usual form until Coby White returns, and that won’t be the case tonight.
Charlotte’s offense has been stuck in the mud, and the lack of firepower showed in a way that was hard to ignore. Last night was as ugly as it gets, and while another collapse that extreme seems unlikely, the Hornets still don’t project as a group that can generate enough scoring to keep pace with a strong conference opponent.
Miami, for its part, is in position to use this one as a defensive reset. The Heat have been shaky on that end through two games, but the personnel is there to make life miserable for Charlotte’s wings and guards. Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, and Pelle Larsson give Miami the kind of ball pressure that can force the Hornets into uncomfortable possessions.
And that’s before you get to the backline. With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo waiting near the rim, Charlotte’s path to easy baskets looks thin. If the Hornets want any shot at hanging around, they’ll need to hit threes at a high rate and take much better care of the ball than they did last night.
Even then, it feels like a steep climb. Charlotte may avoid another 47-point disaster, but right now this group doesn’t appear equipped to score enough to beat a quality opponent with one of the best players in the league.
In Other News...
Hornets Handed Miami A Win That Already Has Spoelstra Fuming
Miamis rough opening to the 2026-27 season has already put Erik Spoelstra in an uneasy spot, and the Hornets were part of the latest chapter. The Heat dropped a third straight game to open the year, their worst start since 2007-08, after a matchup that left their coach sounding frustrated with both the way his team played and the way the game was being called.
Charlottes win also came with a notable twist involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had been effective in Miamis first two games before getting bogged down in foul trouble against the Hornets. Spoelstra made it clear afterward that he was unhappy with the whistle Antetokounmpo received and with how his team handled the game around it, leaving Miami searching for answers as the schedule keeps moving. [Read more 🡒]
Brandon Miller Gave Hornets Fans Exactly The Response They Needed
The Hornets got exactly the kind of response they were looking for in a 115-110 win over Miami, a result that pushed Charlotte to 2-1 and sent the Heat to 0-3. Brandon Miller was at the center of it, putting together a big night that looked nothing like his rough outing in the previous game, while Charlotte also got steady production from Naz Reid, who has fit in quickly through his first three games with the team.
For a Hornets group still trying to settle in early this season, the encouraging part was not just the final score but the way the offense held up against a Miami team that can make games uncomfortable. Millers performance gave Charlotte a clear lead option when it needed one, and Reids early impact has added another layer to a rotation that is still finding its shape. [Read more 🡒]
Naz Reid Is Giving The Hornets Something They Desperately Needed
Naz Reid has given Charlotte exactly the kind of stabilizing presence it was chasing when it brought him over from Minnesota. Through the opening stretch of the 2026-27 season, he has slid into a major role for a young Hornets group, logging heavy minutes while supplying scoring, rebounding and a steadying voice in the locker room. For a team that has often leaned on youth and upside, Reids blend of experience and production has been a welcome change.
He has backed that up on the floor, too, with his recent showing in a win over Miami serving as another sign that Charlotte may have found more than just a complementary big. Reid has also talked about the need for resilience and preparation with an eye toward the playoffs, which says plenty about where his head is at and what the Hornets hope he can help them become. If he keeps this up, the trade is going to look like a very timely piece of business. [Read more 🡒]