Who were those guys? What we learned in the Hornets’ season-opening win in San Antonio
The third quarter had just ended and more than a few fans popped out of their cushy gray seats, scurrying directly for the exits to likely get a jump on beating the traffic snarls on nearby streets and freeways.
Anyone keeping tabs on the Charlotte Hornets’ offseason and subsequent lack of player moves probably would’ve thought they’d be the victims on this night, getting buried in a game they were without their All-Star point guard. Instead, turns out it was the exact opposite scenario.
Minus LaMelo Ball, the Hornets had their way with San Antonio from the opening tip. They rode their highest first-half — and first-quarter — scoring output in a season opener and pounded the Spurs 129-102 at AT&T Center on Wednesday night.
The Hornets utilized a breakneck tempo that aided in propelling them to 68 first-half points after a 38-point showing in the first quarter. They mashed their foot on the Spurs’ necks and never really let up, ensuring they got off on a winning note.
Terry Rozier slid into Ball’s starting point guard spot and had the Hornets’ offense humming. In fact, the team didn’t miss a beat at the position.
“I thought the biggest part was the starters had a readiness to play,” coach Steve Clifford said. “And when we subbed and broke the lineup, there was no change. A lot of guys played well.
“We played pretty good all-around basketball.”
Rozier, who thinks Charlotte can be a sleeper team this season, pumped in 24 points to go with six rebounds and six assists. And Dennis Smith Jr. chipped in 12 points, four rebounds, two steals, two assists and two blocks.
But Rozier wasn’t doing cartwheels in the locker room afterward. This is only the beginning of a six-month odyssey and the veteran knows it. He was already looking ahead to Friday’s home opener against South Carolina native Zion Williamson and New Orleans.
“The game is over with now,” Rozier said. “We’ve got a big one on Friday. That’s the thing about this league. Whether you win or lose, you’ve got to worry about the next one and move on. It’s always good to start the season 1-0, but now we’ve got to keep taking care of business and do what we’ve got to do.”
Here’s what we learned in the Hornets’ victory:
Richards impresses
Some fans turned their noses up — or even worse — at the outset of training camp when Clifford firmly suggested Nick Richards had as good a summer as anyone on the team. Clifford proclaimed the third-year big man had the leg up on the competition for the Hornets’ backup center spot.
Against the Spurs, Richards proved why.
He posted 19 points and snatched 10 rebounds, exerting himself inside. Richards established career bests for points in a half (12), total rebounds in a half (six) and offensive rebounds in a half (five).
Not a bad way to tip things off for the University of Kentucky product.
“I think everything is better when you just keep it simple,“ Richards said. “(Clifford) says that to me, just keep it simple. My whole mentality is just keep everything simple. So I think that it is better when you just go into the game with that mindset and just not try to go outside of yourself. I think that’s just the most important part.”
Clifford was pleased with Richards once again.
“For me, I don’t see anything that he can’t do pretty regularly,” Clifford said. “It’s not like he’s making all these threes. He knows who he is and he plays to his strengths. I’m not sure he’s going to always go 7-for-13. But he doesn’t take any bad shots. He’s a really good screener, he’s super physical. He’s a terrific athlete for his size. He’s smart.
“He’s just doing what he can do, so I think it will be exciting to see how he grows in this role.”
Effective Oubre
Making the start at shooting guard with Rozier shifting to point guard, Kelly Oubre was more than serviceable and a big part of the Hornets’ fast start.
Oubre tied his career-high with three first-quarter steals, marking the seventh occasion he’s collected that many in a quarter in his career. He was also plus-22 in the first quarter.
The eight points and three steals in the initial quarter were also a throwback for Oubre. Last season, he was one of six players with multiple quarters of at least eight points and three steals. His aggression led to 13 points, and he also collected four rebounds.
“Attacking the rim,” Clifford said. “Great energy in transition. I think he had a couple of dribble-handoff plays where he just turned up the corner, got to the basket and I think he had two and-1s. And his defense was very good also.”
Cody Martin hurt
Opening night signaled things are definitely different under Clifford.
Unlike years past, it appears Cody Martin is no longer the first player off the bench. Clifford summoned for Jalen McDaniels in the sixth man role, having him replace PJ Washington early in the first quarter.
Martin was the fourth reserve to check into the action in the first, but didn’t last long. He was on the floor for 58 seconds of action before exiting and heading back to the locker room. Martin was diagnosed with left quad soreness and didn’t return.
It’s been a struggle for the fourth-year forward in the health department lately. He missed all but one of the Hornets’ five preseason games with left knee tendinopathy, so leaving their matchup with the Spurs in the early going certainly wasn’t a good thing.
Clifford said he has his fingers crossed it’s nothing serious.
“They’ve been super careful,” Clifford said. “We’ve been super conservative with him and I don’t know. Maybe he bumped knees. I don’t know. So hopefully … he’s a big part of our team. We need him back and healthy.”
Bouknight plays
After his weekend DWI arrest, one of the questions surrounding the Hornets’ rotation centered around James Bouknight. Would he peel off his warmups and actually enter the game?
Well, that answer came in the second quarter.
Bouknight entered with 10:10 remaining before halftime and logged the fourth-most minutes of the team’s reserves. He went scoreless through the first two quarters, misfiring on all three attempts.
He finished his night scoreless in 15 minutes, still struggling mightily with his shot and missing all five attempts he hoisted up.
“I thought he was very solid,” Clifford said. “He’s going to make his shots. To me, it’s like a lot of young players. He’s just learning how to play an all-around game. There’s no reason he can’t be a good defender. He is a lot of the time. I thought offensively he moved the ball, made good decisions. To me, it’s all purpose of play with him. And then his talent, when he gets more comfortable playing like that, that’s when people will see his talent and his instincts.”
LaMelo on the mend
A sight for sore eyes was on the court warming up during pregame.
Ball worked out a bit with assistant coach Marlon Garnett, signaling the first time he’s done true basketball activities since he sprained his left ankle in the Hornets’ penultimate preseason game against Washington on Oct. 10. Ball definitely appeared to be moving much better on his ankle and not displaying the noticeable limp prevalent the past week or so.
He fired off jumpers and did some dribbling as well, indicating he’s feeling better and could be available at some point within the next two weeks depending on how his rehabilitation goes and provided he doesn’t experience any setbacks. Rozier is steadily cautioning Ball while he’s on the mend.
“That’s always promising, seeing a guy try to battle his way back but still get some court time,” Rozier said. “We know how bad he wants to be out there. I’m just always reminding him that we are going to need him later down the season so just make sure he’s 100% right. But I know that kid loves ball, so he wants to get out there.”
This story was originally published October 19, 2022 at 10:39 PM.
