Remember when we were all bracing for another long, painful season of ping-pong ball watching? Yeah, me too. But the 2025-26 season has turned into an absolute vibe check for the Charlotte Hornets, and they are passing with flying colors. After starting the season with a miserable 4-14 record, or even 16-28 depending on which part of the season you’re looking at, they’ve flipped the script faster than a LaMelo Ball fastbreak.
They went from lottery locks to fighting for a favorable play-in spot, including a massive nine-game winning streak in early 2026, their longest since 1999! So, how did this happen? Here are the five biggest takeaways from the Hornets’ stunning turnaround.
Biggest Takeaways From the Hornets’ Stunning Turnaround
1. The Starting Lineup is Actually Legit When Healthy
For the longest time, it felt like the Hornets couldn’t get their best players on the floor at the same time. This year, when Ball, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, and key pieces like Kon Knueppel and Moussa Diabate are actually healthy, they are absolute killers.
In a stretch of 17 games where this core was fully healthy, the Hornets went 15-2, including a 10-1 mark on the road. This unit hasn’t just been good, they’ve been elite, posing a high net rating in their time together. It turns out, when your best players are healthy, you win games. Who knew?
2. Brandon Miller is Officially a Star
If you weren’t on the hype train for Miller last year, you better get on now. B-Mill is having a career year, and he’s not just scoring, he’s also doing it efficiently. He has been on a tear, scoring over 20 points consistently during their hot streak and even leading the league in plus/minus at one point.
Miller is turning into a true three-level scorer. He’s got the one-on-one moves, the clutch shooting, and the decision-making of a seasoned vet. The way he has taken over games, especially when teams try to double-team Ball, has been huge for their offensive surge.
3. Coach Lee Has Them Buzzing on Defense
Let’s be honest, Charlotte hasn’t been known for defense since…ever maybe? Under Head Coach Charles Lee, that’s finally changing. Early on, the defense was porous, but after some time with his best players playing in his system, the Hornets are one of the top-ranked defenses since January.
This is a totally different team that is now holding teams under 100 points, which is wild for the Hornets. They are playing with more physicality, closing out on shooters, and trust in the system, turning from a bottom-tier defense to a respectable unit that feeds off its own energy.
4. They’ve Found a New Offensive Identity
We all thought the Hornets had to run at a chaotic pace to be good. That, or they would just turn the ball over 20 times. However, this turnaround has come with a twist. They are actually playing a more controlled, deliberate game that focuses on ball movement and finding the best shot, rather than just the fastest shot.
The Hornets are currently near the bottom of the league in pace, yet they are still scoring efficiently. The secret? Total distance traveled on offense, constant player movement and, of course, better decision-making from Ball.
5. They’ve Officially Ditched the Tanking Mindset
For years, Charlotte would get off to a terrible start and quickly change their goal to “Lose enough to get a high pick.” Not anymore. The Hornets are playing for now, and they are officially out of the tanking epidemic. This shift is huge for the culture. They are in the mix for the play-in tournament, which is a massive win for a franchise that has been rebuilding forever.
They are no longer just looking at the future, they are building a winning culture today. This success brings in a better atmosphere, keeps the fans excited, and shows that this young core is ready to compete with the big dogs in the East.
Main Image: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
