2025–26 Charlotte Hornets season

2025–26 Charlotte Hornets season
Head coachCharles Lee
PresidentFred Whitfield
General managerJeff Peterson
Owner(s)Gabe Plotkin
Rick Schnall
ArenaSpectrum Center
Results
Record36–34 (.514)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Southeast)
Conference: 10th (Eastern)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionBally Sports South · Bally Sports Southeast
Cox Media Group/Gray Media[a] (12 simulcasts)
RadioWFNZ

The 2025–26 Charlotte Hornets season is the 36th season for the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Despite starting the season 4–14 record through late November 2025, the Hornets made a mid-season turnaround.[1] Between January and February 2026, the team recorded a nine-game winning streak, their longest since the 1997–98 season. This streak stands as the second-longest in franchise history, trailing only the all-time record of 10 consecutive wins in 1998. It is tied as the second-longest in the combined history of the original and current Charlotte Hornets franchise, as the team had reclaimed the 1988–2002 original records from the New Orleans Pelicans following the 2014 rebranding from the Bobcats.[2][3] During the winning streak, on January 28, 2026, the Hornets improved on their 19–63 record from their previous season.

Draft

Main article: 2025 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position(s) Nationality College
1 4 Kon Knueppel Small Forward United States Duke
2 33 Sion James Small Forward United States Duke
2 34 Ryan Kalkbrenner Center United States Creighton

The Hornets entered the draft with one first-round pick and two second-round picks, one of which originally belonged to the New Orleans Pelicans.[4][5]

Roster

Charlotte Hornets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
G 1 LaMelo Ball 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-08-22 SPIRE Academy (OH)
F 0 Miles Bridges 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1998-03-21 Michigan State
G 21 Pat Connaughton 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 1993-01-06 Notre Dame
F/C 14 Moussa Diabaté 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 2002-01-21 Michigan
F 20 Tosan Evbuomwan (TW) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 2001-02-16 Princeton
G/F 10 Josh Green 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2000-11-16 Arizona
C 16 PJ Hall (TW) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 2002-02-21 Clemson
G 4 Sion James 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 2002-12-04 Duke
C 11 Ryan Kalkbrenner 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 256 lb (116 kg) 2002-01-17 Creighton
G/F 7 Kon Knueppel 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 2005-08-03 Duke
G 23 Tre Mann 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 178 lb (81 kg) 2001-02-03 Florida
F 33 Liam McNeeley 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 2005-10-10 Connecticut
G/F 24 Brandon Miller 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2002-11-22 Alabama
G 12 Antonio Reeves (TW) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2000-11-20 Kentucky
F 31 Tidjane Salaün 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 2005-08-10 France
F/C 26 Xavier Tillman 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1999-01-12 Michigan State
G 3 Coby White 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2000-2-16 North Carolina
F 2 Grant Williams 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 236 lb (107 kg) 1998-11-30 Tennessee
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured

Roster
Updated: February 9, 2026

Standings

Division

Southeast DivisionWLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
Orlando Magic3831.551–22‍–‍1316‍–‍189–769
Atlanta Hawks3832.5430.519‍–‍1619‍–‍168–670
Miami Heat3832.5430.523‍–‍1315‍–‍197–770
Charlotte Hornets3634.5142.516‍–‍1720‍–‍1711–570
o – Washington Wizards1653.23222.011‍–‍255‍–‍282–1269

Conference

Eastern Conference
#TeamWLPCTGBGP
1x – Detroit Pistons *5119.729–70
2ps – Boston Celtics *4723.6714.070
3ps – New York Knicks4625.6485.571
4ps – Cleveland Cavaliers4327.6148.070
5Toronto Raptors3930.56511.569
6Orlando Magic *3831.55112.569
7Atlanta Hawks3832.54313.070
8Miami Heat3832.54313.070
9Philadelphia 76ers3832.54313.070
10Charlotte Hornets3634.51415.070
11Milwaukee Bucks2841.40622.569
12Chicago Bulls2842.40023.070
13o – Brooklyn Nets1753.24334.070
14o – Washington Wizards1653.23234.569
15o – Indiana Pacers1555.21436.070

Game log

Preseason

Due to renovations at Spectrum Center, the Hornets did not play home preseason games at the arena.[6]

2025 preseason game log
Total: 2–3 (Home: 1–1; Road: 1–2)
Preseason: 2–3 (home: 1–1; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 5 Oklahoma City L 114–135 Kon Knueppel (18) Miles Bridges (8) Tre Mann (5) North Charleston Coliseum
11,371 		0–1
2 October 9 @ Oklahoma City L 116–122 Tre Mann (18) Tidjane Salaün (10) LaMelo Ball (4) Paycom Center
0 		0–2
3 October 11 @ Dallas W 120–116 Ball, Bridges (20) Miles Bridges (11) LaMelo Ball (6) American Airlines Center
1,841 		1–2
4 October 15 Memphis W 145–116 Miles Bridges (29) Moussa Diabaté (13) LaMelo Ball (8) First Horizon Coliseum
12,559 		2–2
5 October 17 @ New York L 108–113 Collin Sexton (21) Tidjane Salaün (10) Collin Sexton (10) Madison Square Garden
19,270 		2–3
2025–26 preseason schedule

Regular season

2025–26 game log
Total: 36–34 (Home: 16–17; Road: 20–17)
October: 2–3 (home: 1–1; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 22 Brooklyn W 136–117 Brandon Miller (25) Bridges, Kalkbrenner (11) LaMelo Ball (8) Spectrum Center
19,516 		1–0
2 October 25 @ Philadelphia L 121–125 LaMelo Ball (27) Miles Bridges (10) LaMelo Ball (8) Xfinity Mobile Arena
19,124 		1–1
3 October 26 @ Washington W 139–113 LaMelo Ball (38) LaMelo Ball (13) LaMelo Ball (13) Capital One Arena
16,307 		2–1
4 October 28 @ Miami L 117–144 LaMelo Ball (20) LaMelo Ball (8) LaMelo Ball (9) Kaseya Center
19,600 		2–2
5 October 30 Orlando L 107–123 Collin Sexton (19) Ball, Kalkbrenner (7) LaMelo Ball (13) Spectrum Center
18,478 		2–3
November: 4–11 (home: 4–5; road: 0–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
6 November 1 Minnesota L 105–122 Miles Bridges (30) Moussa Diabaté (9) LaMelo Ball (8) Spectrum Center
19,444 		2–4
7 November 2 Utah W 126–103 Miles Bridges (29) Moussa Diabaté (12) Collin Sexton (12) Spectrum Center
17,123 		3–4
8 November 4 @ New Orleans L 112–116 Miles Bridges (22) Kon Knueppel (12) Collin Sexton (5) Smoothie King Center
15,555 		3–5
9 November 7 @ Miami L 108–126 Kon Knueppel (30) Miles Bridges (12) Bridges, Mann (7) Kaseya Center
19,600 		3–6
10 November 10 L.A. Lakers L 111–121 Miles Bridges (34) Kon Knueppel (10) Kon Knueppel (9) Spectrum Center
19,537 		3–7
11 November 12 Milwaukee W 111–100 Miles Bridges (20) Moussa Diabaté (13) Collin Sexton (8) Spectrum Center
17,142 		4–7
12 November 14 @ Milwaukee L 134–147 (OT) Miles Bridges (32) Moussa Diabaté (11) LaMelo Ball (10) Fiserv Forum
17,341 		4–8
13 November 15 Oklahoma City L 96–109 Miles Bridges (15) Moussa Diabaté (11) KJ Simpson (5) Spectrum Center
19,469 		4–9
14 November 17 @ Toronto L 108–110 Kon Knueppel (24) Ryan Kalkbrenner (10) LaMelo Ball (8) Scotiabank Arena
19,037 		4–10
15 November 19 @ Indiana L 118–127 Kon Knueppel (28) Moussa Diabaté (12) LaMelo Ball (9) Gainbridge Fieldhouse
17,003 		4–11
16 November 22 L.A. Clippers L 116–131 Kon Knueppel (26) Moussa Diabaté (7) LaMelo Ball (7) Spectrum Center
18,721 		4–12
17 November 23 @ Atlanta L 110–113 Kon Knueppel (28) Moussa Diabaté (11) Mason Plumlee (6) State Farm Arena
17,460 		4–13
18 November 26 New York L 101–129 Brandon Miller (18) Ball, Kalkbrenner (6) LaMelo Ball (4) Spectrum Center
19,588 		4–14
19 November 28 Chicago W 123–116 Brandon Miller (27) Bridges, Diabaté (8) LaMelo Ball (8) Spectrum Center
19,453 		5–14
20 November 29 Toronto W 118–111 (OT) Miles Bridges (35) Moussa Diabaté (9) Ball, Sexton (5) Spectrum Center
17,060 		6–14
December: 5–8 (home: 2–4; road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
21 December 1 @ Brooklyn L 103–116 Kon Knueppel (18) Tied (6) LaMelo Ball (14) Barclays Center
16,443 		6–15
22 December 3 @ New York L 104–119 LaMelo Ball (34) Ryan Kalkbrenner (9) LaMelo Ball (9) Madison Square Garden
19,812 		6–16
23 December 5 @ Toronto W 111–86 Knueppel, Salaün (21) Miles Bridges (9) Kon Knueppel (7) Scotiabank Arena
19,800 		7–16
24 December 7 Denver L 106–115 Miles Bridges (24) Miles Bridges (9) Miles Bridges (8) Spectrum Center
18,416 		7–17
25 December 12 Chicago L 126–129 Kon Knueppel (33) Ryan Kalkbrenner (6) Kon Knueppel (9) Spectrum Center
16,205 		7–18
26 December 14 @ Cleveland W 119–111 (OT) Kon Knueppel (29) Brandon Miller (13) Bridges, Miller (6) Rocket Arena
19,432 		8–18
27 December 18 Atlanta W 133–126 Ball, Knueppel (28) Moussa Diabaté (6) LaMelo Ball (13) Spectrum Center
16,124 		9–18
28 December 20 @ Detroit L 86–112 Bridges, Knueppel (19) Kalkbrenner, Knueppel (7) LaMelo Ball (6) Little Caesars Arena
20,062 		9–19
29 December 22 @ Cleveland L 132–139 LaMelo Ball (23) Moussa Diabaté (14) LaMelo Ball (9) Rocket Arena
19,432 		9–20
30 December 23 Washington W 126–109 LaMelo Ball (23) Moussa Diabaté (18) Ball, Bridges (9) Spectrum Center
18,679 		10–20
31 December 26 @ Orlando W 120–105 LaMelo Ball (22) Moussa Diabaté (13) Ball, Bridges (5) Kia Center
19,397 		11–20
32 December 29 Milwaukee L 113–123 Brandon Miller (31) Tidjane Salaün (11) Collin Sexton (8) Spectrum Center
19,562 		11–21
33 December 31 Golden State L 125–132 Brandon Miller (33) Moussa Diabaté (8) Knueppel, Sexton (8) Spectrum Center
19,685 		11–22
January: 11–6 (home: 3–3; road: 8–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
34 January 2 @ Milwaukee L 121–122 Kon Knueppel (26) PJ Hall (8) LaMelo Ball (7) Fiserv Forum
17,673 		11–23
35 January 3 @ Chicago W 112–99 Miles Bridges (26) Miles Bridges (14) LaMelo Ball (7) United Center
21,315 		12–23
36 January 5 @ Oklahoma City W 124–97 Brandon Miller (28) Moussa Diabaté (12) Diabaté, Knueppel (5) Paycom Center
18,203 		13–23
37 January 7 Toronto L 96–97 Collin Sexton (22) Moussa Diabaté (11) LaMelo Ball (7) Spectrum Center
17,337 		13–24
38 January 8 Indiana L 112–114 LaMelo Ball (33) Kon Knueppel (8) LaMelo Ball (8) Spectrum Center
17,342 		13–25
39 January 10 @ Utah W 150–95 Tre Mann (20) Moussa Diabaté (10) Kon Knueppel (6) Delta Center
18,186 		14–25
40 January 12 @ L.A. Clippers L 109–117 LaMelo Ball (25) Moussa Diabaté (15) Ball, Miller (5) Intuit Dome
17,927 		14–26
41 January 15 @ L.A. Lakers W 135–117 LaMelo Ball (30) Bridges, James (8) LaMelo Ball (11) Crypto.com Arena
18,997 		15–26
42 January 17 @ Golden State L 116–136 Brandon Miller (28) Kon Knueppel (11) Brandon Miller (5) Chase Center
18,064 		15–27
43 January 18 @ Denver W 110–87 Brandon Miller (23) Tidjane Salaün (11) LaMelo Ball (6) Ball Arena
19,971 		16–27
44 January 21 Cleveland L 87–94 Brandon Miller (24) Kon Knueppel (11) LaMelo Ball (7) Spectrum Center
17,619 		16–28
45 January 22 @ Orlando W 124–97 Brandon Miller (20) Kon Knueppel (10) LaMelo Ball (7) Kia Center
19,423 		17–28
46 January 24 Washington W 119–115 Brandon Miller (21) Moussa Diabaté (14) LaMelo Ball (11) Spectrum Center
15,698 		18–28
47 January 26 Philadelphia W 130–93 Brandon Miller (30) Ryan Kalkbrenner (9) LaMelo Ball (8) Spectrum Center
16,361 		19–28
48 January 28 @ Memphis W 112–97 Brandon Miller (26) Moussa Diabaté (19) Kon Knueppel (6) FedExForum
13,301 		20–28
49 January 29 @ Dallas W 123–121 Kon Knueppel (34) Bridges, James (8) Lamelo Ball (9) American Airlines Center
19,024 		21–28
50 January 31 San Antonio W 111–106 Brandon Miller (26) Moussa Diabaté (10) Lamelo Ball (8) Spectrum Center
19,533 		22–28
February: 8–3 (home: 3–3; road: 5–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
51 February 2 New Orleans W 102–95 LaMelo Ball (24) Tied (9) LaMelo Ball (5) Spectrum Center
17,263 		23–28
52 February 5 @ Houston W 109–99 Kon Knueppel (24) Moussa Diabaté (12) Tied (4) Toyota Center
18,055 		24–28
53 February 7 @ Atlanta W 126–119 Miles Bridges (26) Moussa Diabaté (15) LaMelo Ball (9) State Farm Arena
17,492 		25–28
54 February 9 Detroit L 104–110 Brandon Miller (24) Moussa Diabaté (6) Grant Williams (5) Spectrum Center
19,476 		25–29
55 February 11 Atlanta W 110–107 Brandon Miller (31) PJ Hall (10) LaMelo Ball (6) Spectrum Center
18,710 		26–29
All-Star Game
56 February 19 Houston L 101–105 Grant Williams (20) Grant Williams (9) Ball, Miller (7) Spectrum Center
19,622 		26–30
57 February 20 Cleveland L 113–118 Kon Knueppel (33) Ryan Kalkbrenner (13) Sion James (7) Spectrum Center
19,691 		26–31
58 February 22 @ Washington W 129–112 LaMelo Ball (37) Ryan Kalkbrenner (9) LaMelo Ball (7) Capital One Arena
16,443 		27–31
59 February 24 @ Chicago W 131–99 Brandon Miller (23) Bridges, Diabaté (7) LaMelo Ball (7) United Center
19,145 		28–31
60 February 26 @ Indiana W 133–109 Brandon Miller (33) Moussa Diabaté (11) LaMelo Ball (8) Gainbridge Fieldhouse
17,073 		29–31
61 February 28 Portland W 109–93 Brandon Miller (26) Moussa Diabaté (11) LaMelo Ball (8) Spectrum Center
19,634 		30–31
March: 6–3 (home: 3–1; road: 3–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
62 March 3 Dallas W 117–90 Brandon Miller (17) Diabaté, James (8) LaMelo Ball (9) Spectrum Center
19,519 		31–31
63 March 4 @ Boston W 118–89 Kon Knueppel (20) Moussa Diabaté (9) Diabaté, White (6) TD Garden
19,156 		32–31
64 March 6 Miami L 120–128 Kon Knueppel (27) Moussa Diabaté (14) Ball, Miller (5) Spectrum Center
19,653 		32–32
65 March 8 @ Phoenix L 99–111 LaMelo Ball (22) Brandon Miller (9) LaMelo Ball (6) Mortgage Matchup Center
17,071 		32–33
66 March 10 @ Portland W 103–101 Brandon Miller (23) Diabaté, Miller (9) Tied (4) Moda Center
18,133 		33–33
67 March 11 @ Sacramento W 117–109 LaMelo Ball (30) Moussa Diabaté (10) Tied (5) Golden 1 Center
15,597 		34–33
68 March 14 @ San Antonio L 102–115 Miles Bridges (22) Knueppel, Miller (6) Tied (3) Frost Bank Center
18,861 		34–34
69 March 17 Miami W 136–106 LaMelo Ball (30) Moussa Diabaté (13) LaMelo Ball (13) Spectrum Center
19,478 		35–34
70 March 19 Orlando W 130–111 Coby White (27) Ball, Knueppel (6) Brandon Miller (8) Spectrum Center
19,565 		36–34
71 March 21 Memphis Spectrum Center
72 March 24 Sacramento Spectrum Center
73 March 26 New York Spectrum Center
74 March 28 Philadelphia Spectrum Center
75 March 29 Boston Spectrum Center
76 March 31 @ Brooklyn Barclays Center
April: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
77 April 2 Phoenix Spectrum Center
78 April 3 Indiana Spectrum Center
79 April 5 @ Minnesota Target Center
80 April 7 @ Boston TD Garden
81 April 10 Detroit Spectrum Center
82 April 12 @ New York Madison Square Garden
2025–26 season schedule

NBA Cup

Main article: 2025 NBA Cup

East Group C

Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PD Qualification
1 New York Knicks 4 3 1 512 477 +35 Advanced to knockout rounds
2 Miami Heat 4 3 1 507 458 +49
3 Milwaukee Bucks 4 2 2 467 463 +4
4 Charlotte Hornets 4 1 3 461 500 −39
5 Chicago Bulls 4 1 3 468 517 −49
Source: NBA

Transactions

Main article: List of 2025–26 NBA season transactions

Trades

June 29, 2025[7] To Charlotte Hornets
• Collin Sexton
• 2030 second-round pick 		To Utah Jazz
• Jusuf Nurkić
June 30, 2025[8] To Charlotte Hornets
• Vasilije Micić
• Draft rights to Liam McNeeley (No. 29)
• 2029 first-round pick 		To Phoenix Suns
• Mark Williams
• 2029 PHX second-round pick
July 6, 2025[9] To Charlotte Hornets
• Pat Connaughton 		To Milwaukee Bucks
• Vasilije Micić
• 2031 second-round pick
• 2032 second-round pick
February 4, 2026[10][11] To Charlotte Hornets
• Ousmane Dieng
• 2029 second-round pick (the more favorable of the picks originally belonging to Atlanta and Miami) 		To Oklahoma City Thunder
• Mason Plumlee
February 4, 2026[12][13] To Charlotte Hornets
• Coby White
• Mike Conley Jr. 		To Chicago Bulls

• Ousmane Dieng
• Collin Sexton
•2029 second-round pick (the less favorable of the picks originally belonging to Charlotte and Denver)
•2031 NYK second-round pick
•*2031 DEN second-round pick

February 4, 2026[14][15] To Charlotte Hornets
Tyus Jones 		To Orlando Magic
Cash considerations


Free agency

Re-signed

Date Player Ref.
July 13, 2025 Tre Mann [16]

Additions

Date Player Former Team Ref.
July 13, 2025 Spencer Dinwiddie Dallas Mavericks [17]

Subtractions

Date Player Reason New Team Ref.
October 1, 2025 Seth Curry Free agency Golden State Warriors [18]

References

  1. ^ Remo, Austin (February 25, 2026). "5 reasons behind Charlotte's tremendous turnaround". NBA.com. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  2. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Longest Winning Streaks in One Season". Land of Basketball. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  3. ^ "Brawl erupts during Hornets-Pistons game as win streak ends". Yahoo! Sports. WSOC-TV. February 9, 2026. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  4. ^ Quinn, Sam (May 12, 2025). "2025 NBA Draft order, Lottery results: Mavericks win No. 1 pick with long odds, will likely take Cooper Flagg". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  5. ^ "2025 NBA Draft Order: Picks 1-59". NBA.com. May 12, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  6. ^ "Reimagine | Charlotte Hornets". www.nba.com.
  7. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Acquire Collin Sexton From Utah". NBA.com. June 29, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  8. ^ "Hornets Acquire The Draft Rights To Liam McNeeley And A Future First-Round Draft Pick From Phoenix". NBA.com. June 30, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  9. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Acquire Pat Connaughton". NBA.com. July 6, 2025. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  10. ^ "Hornets Acquire Ousmane Dieng And 2nd Round Pick From Thunder". NBA.com. February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  11. ^ "Thunder Acquires Mason Plumlee". NBA.com. February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  12. ^ "Hornets Acquire Coby White And Mike Conley From Bulls". NBA.com. February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  13. ^ "CHICAGO BULLS ACQUIRE COLLIN SEXTON, OUSMANE DIENG AND THREE SECOND-ROUND PICKS". NBA.com. February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  14. ^ "Hornets Acquire Tyus Jones And Two Second-Round Picks From Magic". NBA.com. February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  15. ^ "Orlando Magic - Charlotte Hornets Trade". NBA.com. February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  16. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Sign Tre Mann". NBA.com. July 13, 2025. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  17. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Sign Spencer Dinwiddie | Charlotte Hornets". hornets.com. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  18. ^ "Warriors Sign Free Agent Guard Seth Curry". NBA.com. October 1, 2025. Retrieved October 1, 2025.

Notes

  1. ^ Affiliates include:
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