Dennis Smith Jr.

Hornets lock up LaMelo Ball on big 5-year deal

July 2, 2023 Jesse Deal

CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Hornets can rest easy — their franchise player isn’t going anywhere. Star point guard LaMelo Ball has agreed in principle to a five-year designated rookie max extension that will pay him […]

Williams, Hornets defeat Heat for 4th straight win

February 25, 2023 Jesse Deal

CHARLOTTE — Rookie center Mark Williams recorded 18 points and 20 rebounds — both career highs — for the Hornets on Saturday night as they defeated the Heat 108-103 at home for their fourth consecutive […]

Markkanen scores 25 as Jazz beat Hornets, who make only 2 3s

January 24, 2023 The Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY — Lauri Markkanen scored 25 points and the Utah Jazz beat the cold-shooting Charlotte Hornets 120-102 on Monday night. The Hornets made only two 3-pointers, both by Terry Rozier, the fewest by […]

Losses pile up as Hornets’ downward spiral continues

December 14, 2022 Jesse Deal

CHARLOTTE — Already 13 games below .500 and in 14th place in the Eastern Conference, the Hornets would certainly take a mulligan on the first two months of the 2022-23 NBA campaign if they could. […]

Hornets stuck in neutral as injuries keep piling up

November 30, 2022 Jesse Deal

CHARLOTTE — Just when the Charlotte Hornets seem to be finally taking flight, gravity keeps bringing them back down to earth. The Hornets (6-15) recently posted their first back-to-back wins of the season, finally showing […]

Rozier, Washington lead Hornets past 76ers

November 23, 2022 Jesse Deal

CHARLOTTE — Terry Rozier had 22 points and six assists while P.J. Washington added 19 points and six rebounds on Wednesday night as the Charlotte Hornets recorded their second home win of the season, snapping […]

Ball reinjures ankle in Hornets’ loss to Indiana

November 17, 2022 The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE — Tyrese Haliburton had 22 points and 11 assists, Myles Turner added 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Indiana Pacers beat Charlotte 125-113 on Wednesday on night in which Hornets All-Star guard LaMelo […]

LaMelo Ball returns as Hornets look to dig out of early-season hole

November 16, 2022 Jesse Deal

CHARLOTTE — A preseason ankle injury sidelined LaMelo Ball for the first 13 games of the NBA season as Charlotte slumped to a 3-10 start. Now with the Hornets’ best player back in the fold, […]

Injuries, inconsistencies hamper Hornets to start season

November 9, 2022 Jesse Deal

CHARLOTTE — After a promising 3-3 start to the 2022-23 NBA season, the Charlotte Hornets have spiraled to near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings after five consecutive losses. A general lack of offensive […]

Durant, Nets slide past Hornets for 98-94 win

November 5, 2022 Jesse Deal

CHARLOTTE — Kevin Durant scored five of his 27 points in the final minute and the Brooklyn Nets erased the Charlotte Hornets’ fourth-quarter lead and pulled out a 98-94 victory Saturday night at Spectrum Center. […]