Charlotte rookie shines early as the franchise’s next big thing When the Charlotte Hornets selected Kon Knueppel with the No. 4 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, they weren’t just drafting talent—they were investing in reliability.
With how things are going for the Dallas Mavericks, the 2027 pick that the Charlotte Hornets own looks better and better all the time. The Luka Doncic trade, Anthony Davis' injury, Kyrie Irving's injury, and Cooper Flagg's slightly slower start suggest that the Mavericks could tear it down and be pretty bad by that point.
"When we made the trade for Pat, I talked to him and I said, 'You're probably not making the team." After spending seven years and winning an NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks, Pat Connaughton was dealt alongside two second-round picks to the Charlotte Hornets this summer for Vasilije Micic.
LaMelo Ball looks ready to rejoin the fun. The Hornets star is listed as probable for Friday in Milwaukee, per The Charlotte Observer’s Rod Boone. Ball has missed the past five games with a right ankle impingement and recently logged G League practice work, which head coach Charles Lee framed as a strong step toward a return.
The all-time list of NBA All-Stars is obviously long, and notably distinguished. However, there are some players — for various reasons — who the casual, or even most-dedicated, NBA fans can't recall having earned All-Star nods.
The Charlotte Hornets have not had their starting lineup very often, but when they have, it's been a very solid unit. Injuries to LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller mean that the Hornets have had to use a few different starting fives, none of them nearly as good as the main one.
It didn't take long for the Charlotte Hornets' biggest question marks to redefine themselves as emphatic exclamation points. The chatter reverberating about Charlotte's roster construction ahead of opening night centered around the lack of talent at the center position.
If the season ended today, it would be difficult not to award the Rookie of the Year award to Charlotte Hornets wing Kon Knueppel. He's been incredible so far, and despite this being a highly-touted rookie class, Knueppel has done better than pretty much all his peers.
If the NBA trade deadline were today, would the Charlotte Hornets make some moves? They probably would, because they have assets to play with (namely, some expiring contracts), and they're not as competitive as they'd like to be, thanks to key injuries.
After three straight losses, the Charlotte Hornets hosted the 7-4 Milwaukee Bucks without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. It was the fifth straight missed game for LaMelo Ball, who practiced with the Greensboro Swarm yesterday.
The Charlotte Hornets snapped their three-game losing skid at home with a 111-100 upset of the Milwaukee Bucks yesterday, as six players notched double-digit points.
The Charlotte Hornets faced a Bucks team without Giannis Antetokounmpo and won the game more handily than the final score would suggest. Ryan Kalkbrenner had been questionable coming into the game due to a personal issue.
Miles Bridges scored 20 points and rookie center Ryan Kalkbrenner made all eight of his shots from the field as the Charlotte Hornets defeated the visiting Milwaukee Bucks 111-100 on Wednesday night.
In a season defined by injuries and uncertainty, Miles Bridges has found himself back in the spotlight — and this time, he’s answering the call. With LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller sidelined and several others fighting through pain, Bridges has stepped into the lead role the Charlotte Hornets desperately need.
"Oh, extremely confident in KJ," said Charlotte Hornets Head Coach Charles Lee when asked about the second-year guard after Monday night's disappointing loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
It's been a while since the Charlotte Hornets have left a game victorious, but tonight presents another opportunity against the Milwaukee Bucks. Here are our selections for tonight's matchup in the Queen City.
The 2025-26 NBA season was supposed to mark a turning point for the Charlotte Hornets. With a new coaching staff, an offseason focused on adding veteran depth, and the anticipated return of a healthy young core led by LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, optimism reigned supreme in the “Queen City”.
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges voiced his frustration with officiating after Monday night’s 121-111 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, becoming the latest player to question whether the Lakers receive preferential treatment from referees.
Two games. Kon Knueppel needed only two games to prove he’s more than a promising rookie. With Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball out, the Charlotte Hornets turned to their fourth-overall pick — and he delivered.