Hornets putting their trust in Brandon Miller: ‘You are that guy’

October 28, 2026

Brandon Miller has the contract. More importantly for the Hornets, he has teammates who want the ball in his hands when a game needs winning.

“They’re like, ‘You are that guy, we believe in you,’” coach Charles Lee said, via Rod Boone of Sporting News. “‘So when we put the ball in your hand, go make a play. For yourself, for your teammates.’”

Miller did exactly that Monday, scoring a career-high 39 points and delivering the game-clinching basket against the Wizards. Charlotte improved to 3-1 despite missing Coby White, Kon Knueppel and Grant Williams.

Before any of that, Miller purchased 500 tickets for breast cancer survivors.

“I was really going to do more, a lot more than that,” he said.

That’s a pretty good evening of representing your franchise.

With LaMelo Ball in Minnesota and Miles Bridges in Phoenix, Miller is now Charlotte’s longest-tenured player. His recent five-year, $209 million extension makes the organization’s intentions clear.

The responsibility extends beyond taking the final shot. Miller recorded two steals and two blocks Monday, including a chase-down rejection, and says his teammates help drive that effort.

“So whatever winning play it is, I’m going to do my best to make it,” he said.

Moussa Diabate offered a fairly direct assessment of the pecking order.

“At the end of the day, there’s no second thoughts for who’s getting the ball,” Diabate said. “Whether he makes it or misses it, we’ll be right with him.”

Charlotte has spent plenty of time searching for something dependable. Miller is giving the Hornets a player they’re comfortable following.