The Hornets’ home opener is here, and Spectrum Center gets Atlanta tonight as Charlotte takes on the Hawks around 7 p.m. ET.
Charlotte’s starting group brings a little bit of everything. Dennis Schröder is back in the spotlight after making his Hornets debut with 19 points, six assists, and four rebounds while logging the second-most minutes on the team at 35.
Sion James also gets the nod, a slightly surprising choice over Grayson Allen, who scored 21 off the bench in the win over Brooklyn. Still, James makes sense for what Charles Lee seems to be looking for: more physicality.
Brandon Miller slots in after a rough opening night at the line and from the field, going 7-for-21. That kind of shooting line doesn’t usually stick around for long, and Charlotte will be looking for a cleaner outing against Atlanta.
Naz Reid, meanwhile, came out of the gates with a piece of franchise history, becoming the first player in Hornets history to post 20/10/5 in his debut. He also joined a tiny NBA club, becoming just the third player ever to reach those numbers while hitting four threes, alongside Jock Landale and Ray Allen.
Moussa Diabaté was active in all the ways Charlotte needed in the opener, finishing with eight rebounds, five of them offensive, plus five steals. He added 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, which is exactly the sort of energy the Hornets will want to keep tapping into.
Atlanta’s starting five comes in with plenty to monitor, too. CJ McCollum, now the steady hand in place of Trae Young, offers the Hawks a veteran bridge even at 35.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker opened the season with 31 points against the Orlando Magic and should give Charlotte problems. Dyson Daniels followed his reputation-shaking opener with 20 points, a number that demands attention even if it doesn’t become a new norm.
If he can give Atlanta 15 or more, that changes the way the floor opens for the rest of their playmakers.
Jalen Johnson also arrives off a strong first game, finishing with 20 points and 14 rebounds in a double-double. Onyeka Okongwu had the quieter night of the bunch, scoring eight points and grabbing five rebounds, and Charlotte will be aiming to win that battle inside, especially if Ryan Kalkbrenner can give the Hornets useful minutes off the bench.
In Other News...
Hornets Already Face A Brandon Miller Concern They Feared
Brandon Millers first game of the season did little to quiet the questions that followed him into the year. With LaMelo Ball no longer around to steer the offense, the Hornets are already staring at the concern they feared most: whether Miller can generate enough good looks on his own, or whether his production will dip when he has to carry more of the creation burden.
There is still room for the picture to change as Charlotte gets more help around him, with Coby White and Kon Knueppel among the players who could ease some of that pressure. But the opener served as an early reminder that Millers comfort level can look very different depending on who is setting the table, and the Hornets may spend the coming weeks finding out how much of his game travels without Ball beside him. [Read more 🡒]
Grant Williams Is Already Feeling The Buzz Around Charlotte's Opener
Grant Williams has been soaking up the buildup to the Hornets' home opener in a way that fits both his roots and his role as one of the more visible Charlotte natives on the roster. Even though he won't be on the floor for the opener, the buzz around the building has already reached him, and he sounds eager to be part of a night that blends basketball, local pride and a little extra pageantry for a fan base waiting to see what this group looks like at home.
The opener will also bring a familiar soundtrack to the evening, with Petey Pablo set to perform North Carolina's unofficial anthem at halftime. For Williams, the occasion carries a personal layer beyond the game itself, with his connection to playing in his hometown and his reflections on fatherhood giving the night a meaning that goes beyond one regular-season date on the calendar. [Read more 🡒]
Hornets Already Face One Early Problem They Cant Keep Ignoring
The Hornets home opener turned into an early reminder of how thin the margin can be when a young roster is still trying to sort itself out. Charlotte fell behind quickly against Atlanta at Spectrum Center and never found much traction offensively, with turnovers and empty possessions piling up as the game slipped away. Head coach Charles Lee pointed to the ongoing adjustment to the teams offensive systems, a process that can take time but also has to show progress sooner rather than later.
Brandon Millers rough shooting night only added to the frustration, especially after the organization committed to him on a multi-year contract. There was at least one small developmental note to take from the loss, though, as Charlottes 2026 first-round draft pick made his NBA debut and contributed on both ends. For a team trying to balance patience with urgency, nights like this tend to sharpen the focus on what still needs fixing. [Read more 🡒]