The 2025-26 NBA season was supposed to mark a turning point for the Charlotte Hornets. With a new coaching staff, an offseason focused on adding veteran depth, and the anticipated return of a healthy young core led by LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, optimism reigned supreme in the “Queen City”. The goal was clear: end the league’s longest active postseason drought and show that the methodical rebuild under the new ownership and President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson was bearing fruit.
Instead, the Hornets find themselves grappling with the same old narrative: devastating, ill-timed injuries to their star players. The current 3-7 start to the season is a direct result of key personnel being sidelined, and the central storyline has quickly become how the team can weather yet another storm while simultaneously evaluating the surprising emergence of their 2025 rookie class.
Hornets’ Enduring Injury Curse
The Perpetual Injury Cycle
The Hornets’ grand plan hinged on their core players finally getting significant playing time together. Ball, a dazzling playmaker who was one of only six players last season to average over 25 points and 7 assists (albeit in fewer than 50 games), is missing games again with an ankle injury. Miller, the 2023 No. 2 overall pick, is also sidelined with a shoulder injury that has limited him to just a couple of games this season.
This revolving door of injuries has prevented the team from building any meaningful chemistry or momentum. Head coach Charles Lee has had to constantly adjust his lineups, and the projected starting five has only shared the court for a mere 10 minutes all season. This lack of continuity is the single biggest impediment to the Hornets’ growth, leading to frustration even among the most loyal fans.
Rookie Revelations: Knueppel and Kalkbrenner Step Up
In the absence of their established stars, two rookies from the 2025 NBA Draft have quickly become central figures and bright spots for the team: Kon Knueppel and Ryan Kalkbrenner.
Knueppel, the No. 4 overall pick, was drafted for his shooting ability and potential to space the floor alongside Ball and Miller. Thrust into an integral offensive role due to the injuries, he has exceeded all expectations. Knueppel recently made NBA history by becoming the first player ever to record 150+ points and 30+ three-pointers in his first 10 careers games. Averaging nearly 20 points per game since Ball’s injury, he has proven to be a rising star who can facilitate and work hard on defense, showing he’s perfectly capable of being a primary option if needed.
Similarly, Kalkbrenner has been an immediate and pleasant surprise. The former four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year in college has seamlessly stepped into the starting center role, earning high praise from coach Lee for his rim protection and interior scoring. Kalkbrenner’s remarkable efficiency, including shooting over 80 percent from the field, has made him look like a potential “steal” of the draft.
The Path Forward: Patience and Potential
The current reality for the Hornets is a tough 3-7 record and a three-game losing streak, with the immediate goal shifting from a play-in push to simply staying competitive while they wait for health to return. The offseason strategy of blending young talent with veteran depth was sound, but it cannot overcome the fundamental issue of key players missing significant time.
The biggest story is a familiar one of “what if” regarding player health, but it’s now coupled with a new, exciting twist: the rapid ascent of their rookies. Knueppel and Kalkbrenner have provided a glimpse into a potential future where the Hornets have more than just two core pieces. The ongoing rebuild demands patience, and while the current win-loss record is frustrating, the development of these new cornerstones offers a genuine reason for optimism that, one day, the injury curse will lift and the Hornets can finally capitalize on their abundant potential.
Main Image: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
