Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets are a professional basketball franchise competing in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. Founded in 1988 as the original Charlotte Hornets, the team relocated to New Orleans in 2002, returned as the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004, and reclaimed the Hornets name in 2014. They play their home games at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, and sport purple, teal and white uniforms. The Hornets are known for their fast‑paced offense and a focus on developing young talent, highlighted by 2022 All‑Star guard LaMelo Ball and a roster that blends veteran leadership with promising rookies. The franchise’s community outreach and fan‑first initiatives make it a staple of Charlotte’s sports culture.

In the 2025‑26 NBA season the Hornets finished 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 38‑44 record, narrowly missing the playoffs. Under head coach James Borrego the team posted a 4‑6 finish in its last ten games, showing flashes of brilliance against top opponents but struggling with consistency on defense. Recent highlights include a 112‑108 overtime win over the Miami Heat and a 119‑115 victory against the Atlanta Hawks, both featuring strong performances from LaMelo Ball and rising star Brandon Miller. Off the court, the Hornets secured a new multi‑year sponsorship with a local tech firm and announced a community‑driven youth basketball program slated for the summer.