Tipoff was roughly 90 minutes away, so Charles Lee’s latest secret maneuver hadn’t been publicly revealed just yet.
Instead, when the Charlotte Hornets coach got asked about the recent rise in rotational minutes for Sion James over the course of the season’s initial week, he glowingly opened up in discussing the rookie guard.
“Sion’s done a great job of developing his game, learning how we want to play on both ends of the court,” Lee said. “He stood out to us, obviously, early in pre-draft and going to evaluate him in our front office. And so there’s always been something there with Sion. I think that his physicality defensively has been really impressive, but he’s earned an opportunity.”
After serving as a reserve for the initial four games of his career, James apparently was deemed worthy of an even bigger break. He started in the Hornets’ backcourt alongside star LaMelo Ball in their 123-107 loss to the Orlando Magic at Spectrum Center on Thursday night, helping establish a little history in the process.
In joining fellow draft class members Kon Knueppel and Ryan Kalkbrenner in the game-opening unit, it marked the first time the Hornets have ever started three rookies in a regular-season game.
“Yeah, it’s awesome,” James said. “We’ve talked about how we get to go through this experience together. It’s awesome sharing the floor together. At one point, all four of us were on the floor together, which is really cool for us to see. And we’re just really trying to grow.
“We’re thankful for the position that we’re in, and we’re just trying to do the best for ourselves and for the organization.”
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges, center, sits on the team’s bench dejected in the final moments of action against the Orlando Magic at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Oct. 30, 2025. The Magic defeated the Hornets 123-107. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
James’ insertion into the starting lineup couldn’t spur the Hornets (2-3) past the Magic, despite Orlando being on a back-to-back and shorthanded without Jalen Suggs and Mo Wagner. A sluggish opening quarter paired with an inability to get up into the Magic defensively doomed Charlotte.
Factor in an off night from Miles Bridges, who didn’t get it going until late and tossed in 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting, and a modest performance from Ball by his lofty standards — 17 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds — and the Hornets began their three-game home stand in disappointing fashion by trailing wire to wire against Orlando (2-4).
“Yeah, I think that we definitely didn’t have that extra gear that we had been playing with the last few games,” Lee said. “I don’t know coming off that road trip or what it is, but we’ve got to be able to find that juice. And I think that it starts with being able to get stops. And when we get stops, we’re usually out in transition and playing with the pass and playing confidently.
“So, I think that, again, we’ve got to get more stops to be able to play with the pass pace that we want to play with.”
About the only thing this one will be remembered for centers around James.
James, who totaled eight points and four rebounds in 27 minutes against the Magic, quickly carved out an early-season rotation spot with activity on both ends of the court, high basketball IQ and sustained effort, catching the staff’s eye almost immediately.
The Hornets knew they had something in the hard-working Georgia native who slid into the national spotlight thanks to his one season at Duke teamed with Knueppel, No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg & Co.
“It’s been fun to watch, and I think his teammates have kind of helped bring him along as well,” Lee said. “And so I don’t think there was a certain point — I just think it was really an evolution and an earning of an opportunity throughout all the competitiveness we had during training camp and preseason, and seeing how he can just add to a group because he doesn’t need the ball necessarily.
“He can play beside anybody. He’s going to play defense, he’s going to offensive rebound, he’s going to help connect the whole group. So, love that about him. And I think that it’s a good asset to our group.”
Here are some takeaways from the Hornets’ latest outing:
Costly defensive woes
Scanning the score by quarter along with the Magic’s shooting percentage beyond the arc in the first half tells you all you need to know about this one. Orlando topped 30 points in all but one quarter and sank 47.4% of its 3-point attempts in the first half alone.
“In general our defensive execution was not good enough,” Lee said. “To come off of last game and start the game with a 38-point first quarter and a 33-point second quarter, especially with the points of emphasis being taking care of the paint, defending without fouling, second-chance points … it felt like those reared their heads too much in that first half.
Charlotte Hornets guard Sion James, left, is hugged by injured guard Brandon Miller prior to the team’s game against the Orlando Magic at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Oct. 30, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
“And then I thought that we actually found a little bit of a groove defensively in some other areas and credit some of their guys that haven’t been shooting it well shot it decently tonight. So, we will definitely hit the drawing board and get back to practice and keep working on our defensive end intensity and purpose.”
The Hornets let the Magic push them around. And they know it’s unacceptable.
“We just weren’t physical enough, honestly,” James said. “They’re a big, physical team, one of the most physical in the league, and in stretches we matched and exceeded it. And those are the stretches where we were able to get stops and get quick baskets on the other end.
“But a lot of the time, they were out-physicaling us and that’s how we gave up 38 in the first quarter, 33 in the second quarter.”
Tre Mann’s slow start
Take a peek at the Hornets’ leading scorers entering the night and one name is lower than expected, leaving more than a few people wondering what’s going on.
Tre Mann ranked ninth in scoring on the team at six points per game through the Hornets’ first four contests and had topped double digits only once this season. He also got held scoreless in Sunday’s win in Washington, and shot 24.6% overall from the floor and 22.2% through four games.
Mann posted nine points against the Magic, failing to reach double figures once again. Still, Lee is sure Mann will return to form soon.
“Yeah, always going to remain confident in Tre and everyone in that locker room,” Lee said. “I watch how hard they work, how much they care. My confidence will never waver with him or anybody else. I think that he’s just trying to find his way again. You missed some games and still just trying to find that rhythm. But I’ve actually seen progress from game to game.
“I’ve seen him find his defensive impact, like trying to get into the ball a little bit more, trying to have a little bit more shift activity. Offensively, I think he’s becoming a little bit more decisive. Saw him knock down two threes against Miami that I thought were just kind of catch-and-shoot, and be ready and let it fly. And then also in pick-and-roll situations, just recognizing some unders and where to pass and when to pass. You miss some time, new style of play, it takes a little bit of time. But I have full confidence in Tre to be able to get back to ‘Tricky Tre.’”
Kon Knueppel is more than a shooter
To say Knueppel is off to a good start is an understatement.
He is atop this season’s rookie leaderboard in made 3-pointers (17) and entered the matchup with Orlando ranked fifth in the NBA in 3-pointers knocked down. He’s connected on more shots beyond the arc through four games than anyone in NBA history, and is also the lone player in league history to make five or more 3-pointers in two of his first four career games.
But that’s not what’s jumping out to Lee. It’s what’s transpiring on the other side of the floor.
Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, left, loses control of the ball as Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner applies defensive pressure during action at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Oct. 30, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
“I think that his understanding of personnel and tendencies has already been pretty impressive for a first-year player,” Lee said. “I think he takes the time to study and watch film, and he and his position or primary skills coach do a really good job of working on techniques as well — slide steps and how to steer.
“And he’s a quick learner. He’s got a really high basketball IQ, really good feel and then his overall just competitive nature makes him want to embrace whatever challenge comes his way defensively.”