The Charlotte Hornets are slowly mounting one of the biggest comebacks in the league after starting the season with a dismal 4-14 run. Brandon Miller and Co. have now won eight games in a row and are placed in 10th spot in the Eastern Conference. However, will they be able to make it to the postseason?
While several hands are behind the Hornets’ recent winning streak, Kon Knueppel has been at the center of it all. The 2025 fourth overall pick is averaging 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists and is one of the frontrunners for the Rookie of the Year honors this season, along with his college buddy and roommate, Cooper Flagg.
Brandon Miller’s contribution cannot be overlooked, though. He is leading the franchise in points per game, averaging 20.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and one steal. His crucial clutch buckets have benefited the team in crunch situations.
LaMelo Ball has been the operator of the offense, tying every piece perfectly, as he leads the team in assists per game. He is shooting 36.5% from the deep, and his ball handling has been a boon to the side. When healthy, he can be an important asset for the Hornets.
Besides the young trio, the team’s frontcourt has also kept the momentum with defense and keeping the lob threat with Ball on the perimeter. Moussa Diabaté is averaging one block per game this season, along with 8.3 points and 8.5 rebounds, leading the franchise on the board.
Can the Hornets make it to the playoffs?
Teams play a total of 85 games in the regular season, and the Hornets have played 52 games thus far, with a record of 24-28. While they slowly approach the .500 mark, Hornets fans have already begun making calculations for the playoffs.
Four teams qualify for the play-ins, and if the Hornets manage to maintain their spot above the bottom five, they might get a chance to make a move to the playoffs. However, the Chicago Bulls are also playing with the same record and pose a major threat to the Hornets’ qualification.
After the recent trade in Chicago and the Bulls’ crucial player, Coby White, coming to Charlotte, chances are that the job won’t be that difficult for the Hornets. If they manage to grab a spot in play-ins, the team will probably face the Atlanta Hawks or the Miami Heat in the first round.
The Heat has the second-best defense in the East, and Jalen Johnson of the Hawks has had an All-Star season, leading the franchise in all categories (23.2-10-6-8.2). The Hornets won’t proceed to the next round without challenges.
With Coby White joining the squad, the Hornets front office has made its intentions clear to go all-in before the postseason. The team will surely be one of the underdogs in the postseason if they proceed.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
