: Charlotte eliminated the Miami Heat in an overtime thriller during the first stage of the Play-In Tournament. However, their season ended with a 121–90 loss to the Orlando Magic , extending their playoff drought to 10 seasons. Key Personnel
: Following a nine-game winning streak in early 2026—the franchise's longest since 1998—the Hornets transformed from lottery locks into a legitimate threat. Charlotte Hornets
: Since January 2026, Charlotte has posted an 11.1 Net Rating , the best in the NBA during that span. They also lead the league in putback efficiency (1.38 PPP) and offensive rebounds (12.4). : Charlotte eliminated the Miami Heat in an
The are currently defined by a historic "Buzz City" turnaround, finishing the 2025–26 regular season with a 44–38 record . After a dismal 4–14 start, the team orchestrated one of the greatest mid-season surges in NBA history, going 18–9 after the All-Star break to clinch their first winning season since 2021–22. Fri, Apr 17 Magic won! 2025–26 Season Highlights : Since January 2026, Charlotte has posted an 11
Grades for all 30 NBA teams after the 2025-26 regular season