Don’t look now, but the Charlotte Hornets are making noise-and not the kind that fades after a week. With a 21-28 record, they’re still on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture, sitting two-and-a-half games back.
But the way they’re playing? It’s starting to feel like this team isn’t just hanging around-they’re coming for a spot.
A Five-Game Streak That’s Turning Heads
Thursday night’s 123-121 nail-biter over the Dallas Mavericks didn’t just move the Hornets one step closer to the play-in-it gave them their fifth straight win, something they haven’t done since the 2022-23 season. And this isn’t just a hot streak; it’s a sudden shift in how this team is competing.
Before this run, Charlotte struggled to string together even two wins, let alone five. Now, they’re playing with confidence, closing out tight games, and showing they belong in the postseason conversation.
Road Warriors in January
What makes this surge even more impressive is where it’s happening: on the road. In January, 11 of Charlotte’s 17 games were away from home, and they went 8-3 in those contests. That’s not just solid-it’s elite, especially for a team still trying to find its identity.
But it’s not just the wins-it’s how they’re getting them. Thursday’s two-point victory in Dallas capped off a road stretch where Charlotte posted a staggering +151 point differential.
That ties the 2010-11 Miami Heat for the best road point differential in a single calendar month in NBA history. Let that sink in.
That Heat team had LeBron, Wade, and Bosh. The Hornets just matched them in road dominance over a month.
They also notched six road wins by 15 points or more in January. That’s a mark only two other teams have hit in league history: the 2011-12 Heat and the 2001-02 Lakers.
Those teams had championship DNA. The Hornets?
They’re still building theirs-but this stat shows they’re doing something right.
Trade Deadline Looms Large
With the trade deadline fast approaching on February 5, Charlotte’s front office is staring at a pivotal decision. Do they double down and make a move to bolster the roster? Or do they ride the current momentum and see how far this group can take them?
The biggest need right now? Bench depth.
If the Hornets want to sustain this level of play-or even elevate it-adding a reliable scorer or playmaker off the bench could be the key. Names like Malik Monk, Dennis Schroder, and Daniel Gafford have been floated as potential fits, and any of them could provide the spark Charlotte needs to solidify a playoff push.
But even if the Hornets stand pat, they’ve already become one of the league’s most intriguing teams to watch down the stretch. They’re young, they’re hungry, and they’re proving they can win in tough environments.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t the same Hornets team we saw stumbling through the early part of the season. They’re defending better, executing down the stretch, and most importantly, believing in themselves.
A playoff spot is still a climb-but it’s no longer a pipe dream. If this team keeps trending upward, don’t be surprised if they crash the postseason party and make things uncomfortable for a higher seed.
The Hornets are no longer just a rebuilding team. They’re a problem-and they’re arriving ahead of schedule.