Losses are piling up for the Hornets. What Charles Lee said about latest rough night
So much for a frank conversation with each other.
Three days after holding a players-only meeting to clear the air and put things on the table following a lifeless first-half effort in a loss to Houston, the Charlotte Hornets had their first chance to show the chat gave them a spark. And apparently, another tactic is necessary if they have any legitimate shot at turning around a season speedballing out of control.
Having their version of the “Core Four” on the court together for just the second time in a full year — and sixth occasion overall — fueled by Brandon Miller’s return against the Wizards did little to ignite the Hornets, either. In dropping a 113-110 decision to the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on Thursday night, their second defeat to the Eastern Conference cellar dwellers in a week, the Hornets are showing no signs of pulling out of their malaise.
They’ve won only once in 15 tries since Nov. 23, a frustrating stretch that only gets more difficult with Oklahoma City next up for the Hornets (7-23) on Saturday.
“We’re going through a little bit of adversity right now,” coach Charles Lee said, “and I think this group is banding together, they’re competing harder, and they’re learning how to get through it. And I have total faith that we will push through and keep getting better every day.”
LaMelo Ball’s 31-point, six-rebound, six-assist effort was overshadowed by the Hornets’ miscues down the stretch, which included a pair of missed free throws by Josh Green that were a microcosm of Charlotte’s inability to finish off a comeback from a 21-point deficit.
“The possession that sticks out to me is (with 24 seconds remaining) it’s a one-point game,” Lee said. “We get a stop and we’ve got to come up with that rebound. To me, it’s like a tale of two halves. First half, you give up two 34-point quarters, you dig yourself a hole.
“So, there were a lot of possessions there in the first half I wish we had back, and then maybe you’re not in the predicament you’re in at the end of the game.”
He’ll get no argument from Miles Bridges.
“Second half we played Hornets basketball,” Bridges said. “Like I’ve said before, we just got to start the game off the right way. And if we do that, we win the game easily.”
Miller tossed in 18 points on 6-of-21 shooting and misfired on a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the waning seconds. He showed some expected rust after missing the last three games with a sprained ankle after going down in the second half on Dec. 16 — last time the Hornets had Miller, Ball, Bridges and Mark Williams all healthy and available.
They’ve been on the active list together for a grand total of six games now over the last year-plus and there’s bound to be some sort of jelling phase. But who knows how long it’ll take to grow that cohesion.
“I thought offensively they were kind of working well off each other,” Lee said. “Sometimes we had Miles initiate and he can throw to Melo, and Brandon can initiate and throw it to Miles. So, it’s just nice having a lot of different options offensively to kind of initiate offense and also play through.”
One positive thing the Hornets can hang their uniform on: At least no one hurt against the Wizards, and they can begin working Miller into the mix again. The second-year swingman offers something that just can’t be duplicated in his absence.
“On both ends of the floor, he just gives you another really good player,” Lee said. “Defensively, I think he’s been one of our best guys in terms of executing the game plan, bringing a level of physicality and athleticism, trying to keep the ball in front.
“I’ve also missed some of his transition, chase-down blocks and occupying second (shot) contests. With his ability to shoot and seeing where we have been the last couple of games, in terms of being able to create some really good looks but not converting. And I think he’s one of the better catch-and-shoot players on our team and he’s also able to play make for others. He’s a welcome addition.”
This story was originally published December 26, 2024 at 10:40 PM.
