Hornets reporter Rod Boone delivers content you can't get anywhere else, from deep-dive analysis of the young core to the latest locker room buzz. A Charlotte Observer subscription gives you the best access to breaking news and exclusive player interviews. By DIAMOND VENCES
It’s back to work for the Charlotte Hornets.
Following a brief hiatus for the All-Star break, which they hope doesn’t stymie the momentum gained by winning nine of their past 10 games, the Hornets have reconvened and are focused on doing something that hasn’t happened in nearly a decade.
Making the playoffs.
As they tip off the final stretch of their schedule, starting with Thursday’s date against the Houston Rockets at Spectrum Center, the Hornets find themselves in decent position in the Eastern Conference standings. They sit in ninth place — the teams seeded seven through 10 advance to the play-in tournament — and they’re currently two games ahead of the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks.
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is able to still laugh after sustaining a cut above his right eye following a collision with head coach Charles Lee during first-quarter action against the New Orleans Pelicans at Spectrum Center on Feb. 2, 2026. The Hornets defeated the Pelicans 102-95. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Charlotte (26-29) also boasts a half-game cushion over the Atlanta Hawks and holds the tiebreaker thanks to claiming the season series 3-1 on the strength of a pair of wins over their Southeast Division foe within the span of a week.
So, beyond their expectations for continued daily improvement — which is one of the favorite phrases of coach Charles Lee — what are the Hornets’ three biggest keys to realizing those postseason dreams? After practice on Wednesday, that question was posed to Lee.
Here’s how the Hornets’ second-year coach views it:
Use that good basketball IQ
As a team with a young core, the Hornets don’t have a whole lot of experience in knowing what it takes to consistently close out a tough opponent when the game is tight.
Charlotte owns a 9-14 record in clutch games this season, meaning it must smooth out the bumps in the final five minutes of action when the score is within five points.
“I would love to see our end of quarter and end of game situational basketball just be a lot better, (like) the two-for-ones” Lee said. “At the end of the game, when we are inbounding the ball in Atlanta, can we not have Moussa (Diabate) be the inbounder in that situation and have somebody else be the inbounder? Just recognize those parts of the game.”
Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee, center, calls his players together during action against the Orlando Magic at Spectrum Center on Oct. 30, 2025. The Magic defeated the Hornets 123-107. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Increase reaction to shifts in strategy
Deciphering how to attack a particular defense is imperative.
With all of their offensive weapons, led by star point guard LaMelo Ball, the Hornets can hurt the opposition a number of ways. So, sometimes they will be forced to find an offensive rhythm after it’s been disrupted due to a change in defensive scheme.
That can’t happen, particularly against the league’s upper echelon.
“When teams adjust and we go zone,” Lee said, “how can we get into our offense and know that we have all the tools that we need? Those are the things that I want to see improve.”
Becoming more multiple
Thanks to overall team health finally looking up for once, along with trading for the likes of North Carolina native and former Coby White, the Hornets have the ability to be as versatile and position-less as they have in a while.
And Lee intends on tapping into that.
“I just want to see more layers to how we play,” Lee said. “I want to put different guys in different positions and really try to see if we can continue to push the envelope with our individual improvement as well as our team.”