The Charlotte Hornets are suddenly one of the NBA’s most intriguing storylines-and not just because of what they’re doing on the court.
Let’s start there, though, because what Charlotte has pulled off lately deserves serious attention. It began with a statement win on the road, dismantling the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder by 27 points.
That wasn’t just a good night-it was a wake-up call to the rest of the league. And if that didn’t get your attention, the 55-point demolition of the Utah Jazz certainly should have.
That’s the largest margin of victory by any team this season, and it happened in Salt Lake City, not an easy place to play.
Then came Thursday night in Los Angeles. The Hornets rolled into Crypto.com Arena and dropped 135 points on the Lakers in a 135-117 win. That’s three straight road wins, each more impressive than the last, and this team is suddenly playing with the kind of confidence and cohesion that turns heads in January.
But the Hornets’ surge isn’t just about the scoreboard right now-it’s about the storyline that’s quietly brewing behind the scenes, and it involves one of the greatest players of this generation.
Saturday, Charlotte takes on Golden State in what would already be a compelling matchup. But this one has an extra layer, thanks to a family connection that runs deep in NBA circles.
Just days before the game, the Hornets announced they’ll retire Dell Curry’s jersey. Dell played 10 seasons in Charlotte, becoming a fan favorite and one of the franchise’s original stars.
He’s also, of course, the father of Stephen Curry.
And here's where it gets interesting.
Dell revealed in a recent media session that Stephen once asked him a simple, but loaded, question: If I ever joined the Hornets, could I wear your number? Dell’s answer? “No doubt.”
That one quote lit up social media, and understandably so. Stephen Curry has spent his entire 17-year career with the Warriors, becoming the face of the franchise and redefining the modern game along the way. But the idea that he’s even thinking about finishing his career in Charlotte-his hometown, where his dad made his name-adds a fascinating wrinkle to his future.
Curry still has one year left on his current deal after this season, which would carry him through the 2026-27 campaign. After that, he hits free agency just before his age-39 season. That’s a long way off in NBA years, but the thought of him suiting up in teal and purple, wearing the same No. 30 his father once did-and that his brother Seth also wore during his 76-game stint with the Hornets-feels like something straight out of a basketball fairy tale.
Right now, it’s all just chatter. But given how much Steph has meant to the game and how much Charlotte has meant to his family, it’s a storyline worth watching.
In the meantime, the Hornets are focused on the present. They’ve got momentum, they’ve got belief, and they’ve got a showdown with the Warriors on deck. And if their recent play is any indication, they’re not just showing up for the moment-they’re ready to own it.