Charlotte Hornets Aim to Build Momentum Despite Injury-Riddled Season

With their 102-86 loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night, the Charlotte Hornets head into the All-Star break at 13-39. Having lost 10 of their last 12 games, the Hornets find themselves again in a familiar position—at the bottom of the standings in a season that has not gone according to plan. Although this year was expected to be transitional, injuries and other factors have derailed hopes for modest improvement.

The injury bug has plagued the Hornets yet again, limiting the team’s growth. Key contributors like Tre Mann, Brandon Miller, and Grant Williams have been sidelined for the season, while LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges have also missed significant time. As a result, consistency has been hard to find, and the team has struggled to build any real momentum.

Despite the disappointing record and injuries to key players, the Hornets can still find bright spots. As the season winds down, their focus should shift toward development, identifying key building blocks, and creating momentum for a pivotal summer. This summer will be crucial, as the franchise faces several critical, franchise-altering decisions.

What are those bright spots? How can the Hornets take steps forward as the season winds down? Let’s dive in.

Potential Defensively

When Charles Lee was hired, most attention focused on his role in building the Boston Celtics’ offense. However, many overlooked his crucial contribution to making the Celtics a dynamic defensive team. Some of those same principles are now showing with the Hornets. The team is starting to buy into the defensive system.

As they head into the All-Star break, the Hornets rank 13th in defensive rating and 9th in opponents’ points per game. These are strong signs of their growing commitment to that end. Additionally, they’ve been elite at defending the three-point line, limiting opponents to just 34% shooting from beyond the arc. That ranks them 2nd in the league, behind only the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Of course, there’s room for improvement if they want to elevate to an elite defensive tier. The Hornets rank 17th in opponents’ fast-break points, allowing 15.6 per game, and opponents shoot 46.4% from the field, which places them 14th. Lee’s leadership has driven progress, but the team still needs to tighten up these areas.

Opportunity Awaits

Injuries can derail a season, but they also create opportunities for others to step up. For the Hornets, this challenging stretch has allowed them to evaluate their young talent, with several players making a strong case for a role in the team’s future.

One player who is standing out is Nick Smith Jr. The Hornets drafted him 27th overall in 2023, and he split time between the team and the G-League early in the season. Given extended minutes recently, Smith Jr. has thrived, averaging 16.7 points on 53/43/88% shooting over his last six games, proving he could be a key piece moving forward.

Another bright spot is Moussa Diabaté, whose energy and defensive presence earned him a three-year contract. Initially on a two-way deal, Diabaté’s impact led the Hornets to move on from Nick Richards and Mark Williams. Even with the addition of veteran Jusuf Nurkić, Diabaté continues to justify his expanded role.

In Conclusion

The Hornets’ season has been full of challenges but also valuable opportunities for growth and evaluation. Injuries have taken their toll, yet they’ve given players like Nick Smith Jr. and Moussa Diabaté a chance to shine. Lee is driving the team’s defensive improvement, but they still need more work to achieve consistent competitiveness.

With a crucial offseason ahead, the Hornets must make several franchise-defining decisions. The path back to contention won’t be easy, but emerging talent and hard lessons offer hope for improvement. The question is whether they’ll take that step—or remain stuck in the cycle they’ve tried to escape for years.