The Charlotte Hornets suddenly look like one of the NBA’s hottest teams.
Know why? Because they are.
Since Jan. 22, the Hornets have gone 16-3 and won six straight games, each by at least 16 points. Their latest was a 118-89 rout of the Boston Celtics on the road.
Coach Charles Lee said the explanation starts with something simple.
“It’s been cool to have a healthy roster,” Lee said, via the Charlotte Observer’s Roderick Boone. “That has definitely played into some of the shifts we’ve had. But our guys have embraced the process even more. Everyone elevated their work habits and their standards.”
Charlotte’s turnaround has been dramatic. The Hornets were just 4-14 at one point earlier in the season but now sit at 32-31. They’re above .500 in March for the first time since the 2021-22 season, as relayed by The Athletic’s James Jackson.
Before that, the last time Charlotte was above .500 this late in the year came in 2015-16, the last season the franchise reached the playoffs.
Players say the confidence inside the locker room has grown.
“They are a great team, we also believe we are a great team,” center Moussa Diabate said after beating the Celtics. “It’s a great message to the league. The Hornets are here.”
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