The Charlotte Hornets are giving fans an experience they've been generally unfamiliar with in recent years. Not only is Charlotte playing well, but it's winning at a pace that could help the franchise make the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
With a five-game winning streak, eight wins in 11 games, and the Play-In Tournament within reach, the Hornets are finally on their way to relevance—and playing at a legitimately elite level.
Though multiple facts are at play, the Hornets' resurgence begins with Moussa Diabate. Diabate has started 19 of his 45 appearances in 2025-26. During that time, Charlotte has gone 11-8. Though some might argue it's not the most awe-inspiring record, the Hornets are 10-20 in the 30 games they've played with Diabate either coming off the bench or absent in general
Furthermore, 17 of Diabate's starts have come since Dec. 23, during which time the Hornets have gone 11-6 when he's played and 1-2 when he hasn't.
In addition to winning, they've been legitimately elite. In 20 games since Diabate [became a full-time starter](https://swarmandsting.com/moussa-diabate-making-clippers-fans-eat-crow-remarkable-run) on Dec. 23, Charlotte has ranked No. 1 in the NBA in offensive rating and No. 6 in defensive rating. In a feat no one thought possible, the Hornets are also No. 1 in the Association in net rating during that time at plus-10.6.
For perspective on how dominant the Hornets have been, their net rating is 1.9 points per 100 possessions higher than the No. 2 team and 3.3 clear of the No. 3 franchise during that time.
Starting Moussa Diabate has unlocked the Hornets' potential
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Though Charlotte has admittedly won a scarce few games over teams on pace to make the playoffs, they do [own a victory over the](https://swarmandsting.com/kon-knueppel-identifies-point-everything-changed-hornets) Oklahoma City Thunder. Even with a schedule that isn't exactly preparing the Hornets for the playoffs, however, their pace-setting play can't be ignored.
Diabate has given the Hornets a consistent source of energy along the interior and a healthy rotation is showing its under-appreciated potential.
During this 20-game stretch, all five of LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, and Collin Sexton have averaged at least 12.8 points per game. They've also appeared in no less than 19 games during this dominant run of form.
That's perhaps the most important factor of all, as the Hornets' top seven players in minutes per game since Dec. 23 have all appeared in at least 17 of their 20 outings.
With a healthy rotation, a surplus of players who can create offense, and Diabate teaming with rookie Sion James to set a tone on defense, the Hornets are thriving. Ball and Miller are not only excelling individually, but clearing a path for Knueppel to grow in his own role.
It's all a product of an admittedly controversial design that's seen Charlotte cap each of its players' minutes en route to creating a deeper and more balanced rotation.
Miller leads the Hornets in minutes per game since Dec. 23 at 30.7. He's the only player on the roster who's playing at least 30 minutes per game during that time. The only other players who have come close are Diabate at 29.6, Bridges at 29.5, and Knueppel at 28.8.
With an unorthodox approach to balancing the rotation, a greater emphasis on defense, and a free-flowing offense, the Hornets are closer than ever to ending their postseason drought.