It has been a long time since the Charlotte Hornets last made the playoffs. Think back to the days of Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson, a seven-game series with the Miami Heat. This was in 2016, by the way. We’re living in 2026 now, and the team hasn’t gone back since.
Enter the 2025-26 team, now the hottest in the entire association. LaMelo Ball has been playing fantastic basketball. The team is 15-1 when they use the starting lineup they currently employ. With their young guys on the rise and a hungry center in the middle, it has all come together.
Kon Knueppel is neck-and-neck with Cooper Flagg for the Rookie of the Year. Moussa Diabate is proving to be one of the most energetic young bigs in the entire league. Charles Lee is getting the most out of all of his guys.
It’s been fun to see so much winning in a place that just hasn’t had it.
LaMelo Ball, Hornets, Beat Hawks for Ninth Straight Win
Nobody can stop the Charlotte Hornets. Having now won nine games in a row for the first time since 1999, there is nothing stopping them from winning two more in a row the longest streak in franchise history.
The Amazon Prime crew discussed just how things have turned around here. Every last thing has been going right.
Eking out a 126-119 win over Atlanta to prolong the streak, this team has been doing it all. LaMelo Ball had 19 points and nine assists. Kon Knueppel had 23 with eight rebounds, sinking six more huge threes. Miles Bridges dropped 26, while Moussa Diabate double-doubled with 11 and 15.
There have been times where Ball has had to come off the bench this year and have his minutes managed. There was even a false trade rumor about the 2022 All-Star, which he responded to online with a clown emoji. This has been the first time in a long time that the franchise point guard has been steadily available. Great credit to the Charlotte training staff and for Lee for making sure not to overuse Ball.
The winning streak, which is their longest of course since 1999, hasn’t just come against lower teams. They beat the #2 seeded Spurs. The Rockets by 10. A 23-point victory over Denver is included on the actual run. A little bit before the streak began, they beat the Thunder by 27.
It has truly been something to behold here with the Hornets. There is finally winning basketball being played in the Queen City.
How Long Can Hornets Extend Streak?
Now owners of a nine-game winning streak, naturally the Hornets will want to make it 10. They will have a tough test with the Pistons coming to down tomorrow night (Feb 9). Their last game before the All-Star break will be a rematch with the Hawks.
Coming out of said break, they will have a tough back-to-back with the Rockets and Cavs. Not an easy stretch by any stretch of the word, though they have already been proving naysayers wrong on most nights. A 20-point first-half deficit against the Pelicans last Monday didn’t stop them. San Antonio couldn’t either.
LaMelo Ball has shown up to work and been the professional they have needed him to be. Kon Knueppel is making threes like no rookie ever has before. A healthy Brandon Miller is proving to make a major difference. Add in Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate, and you have the starting lineup with the best record in the league.
15-1 now. Watch out for Buzz City. They’re coming to a hive near you, soon.
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