Charles Lee
Getty
Charles Lee is hoping to lead the Hornets back to the playoffs.
The Charlotte Hornets have not been to the playoffs since the 2015/16 season. Since then, the Hornets have finished above .500 just once. But even that was not good enough to get them into the playoffs. This could be the year that changes, according to NBA legend Charles Barkley.
While speaking on ESPN’s NBA Tip-Off show, Barkley made the bold claim about Charlotte.
“The Hornets are going to be in the PLAYOFFS,” Barkley said with some enthusiasm. This was after he said Charlotte would make the Play-In games just a few days ago.
The rest of the crew did not seem to agree with Barkley, but recent play has sparked life into the argument.
Hornets Playoff History
LaMelo Ball
LaMelo Ball is the face of the Hornets.
As mentioned, the Hornets have finished above .500 just once since last making the playoffs. That was during the 2021/22 season.
The Play-In games have made it easier for the bottom teams to earn a chance at making the playoffs. 2021 was the first year of the Play-In tournament, and the Hornets made it that year but failed to advance. Charlotte suffered the same fate one year later.
The Hornets have not made it back since then. However, Charlotte has gone on a run lately and find themselves 3.5 games back from the 10th-place team. Currently, the Hornets have a 19-28 record, which matches their win total from last season. The 10th-place Atlanta Hawks are 23-25, so Charlotte does have some ground to make up still.
In order to make the playoffs altogether, the Hornets will have to either win one or two games in the Play-In tournament, depending on their seed. They can avoid the Play-In games altogether if they finish in sixth place or better.
The Hornets are 6.5 games back from the sixth-place team heading into Wednesday’s slate of games. The likelihood of Charlotte finishing high enough to forego the Play-In tournament is low, but the team has played good basketball lately.
Hornets Play Recently
Brandon Miller
GettyBrandon Miller has averaged 21.4 points per game in January.
Since the calendar flipped to 2026, Charlotte has a winning record. They are 8-6 with wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and Orlando Magic. Those are four great wins, and proves Charlotte may have turned a page this year.
Their losses have been very competitive, as well. Of their six losses, the Hornets have kept the game within single digits five times. That includes two one-point losses and one two-point loss.
Looking ahead, it seems as if LaMelo Ball will be staying in Charlotte, despite some trade rumors early on this year. Keeping him on the team will be important if the Hornets are going to make a playoff run. Add Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, and Miles Bridges, and the Hornets have a quietly good big four.
Charlotte will travel to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night, followed by an away tilt with the Dallas Mavericks. If those games go well, the Hornets could find themselves in the Play-In picture.
It will be interesting to see how the season ends, but the Hornets have given their fans something to cheer for lately.