Doug Branson here, the host of the daily Locked On Hornets podcast, with your daily Locked On Hornets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Hornets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Hornets’ NBA Cup Journey Begins with Magic Matchup
Nov 10, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) dribbles up court against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images|Bill Streicher/Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
It’s the start of NBA Cup group play tonight against Orlando, and there’s a real sense of opportunity here. With Wendell Carter Jr. and Paolo Banchero sidelined for the Magic, Charlotte has an opening to grab an early win in the Cup—and make a statement.
🏆 Why the NBA Cup Matters Cup play could be huge for Charlotte, especially given our limited exposure on the national stage. If the Hornets make it through group play, it could mean a national TV spot in Vegas, a rare chance for wider recognition. This is exactly the kind of shot our younger players need. Just imagine the momentum a Cup win could bring!
🎯 Key Matchup: LaMelo Ball vs. Orlando’s Defense LaMelo has been on fire, pulling in his second Eastern Conference Player of the Week nomination. His pull-up shooting, currently leading the NBA, is electric—but we’re also seeing shot quality take a hit as LaMelo shoulders more of the offense with key injuries on our roster. The question is, can LaMelo balance his shot selection while still playing as the aggressive scorer we need?
🤔 What to Watch: Can We Out-Rebound Orlando? Orlando’s front line is depleted without Carter, which gives our offense an edge. Our rebounding has been outstanding, even without Mark Williams and Nick Richards. If we can control the boards, this game is ours to lose. Orlando is coming off two wins, but let’s face it—their competition (Pelicans and Wizards) was less than stellar. LaMelo’s playmaking and Brandon Miller’s energy should push us over the line if we stay disciplined.
🧠 My Take This NBA Cup is the perfect time to embrace the “everything matters” philosophy that Coach Lee has instilled in the squad. Unlike last season’s debut, the stakes feel higher this year, with more teams taking it seriously. Winning tonight wouldn’t just be a feather in our cap—it’d be a sign that the Hornets are evolving into a more competitive, nationally relevant team. Let’s bring that intensity to the floor and make some noise!
Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to follow along on Locked On Hornets for real-time analysis and updates.
The second annual NBA In-Season Tournament/much catchier ‘NBA Cup’ begins tonight, kicking off roughly a month of tournament games that fall on Tuesdays and Fridays. Then, we get into the quarterfinals and conference semifinals, the rules of which I am still not 100% clear on and am not ashamed to admit.
The newness of the Cup is what makes people skeptical of it. It’s what made me skeptical of it last season. It’s difficult to introduce new things into competitive ecosystems that seem largely “set”, which is why it happens rarely. My skepticism of the tournament came from the need to gameify what is already a game, but then I thought about how often the “product” of the NBA (e.g. basketball) gets complained about and realized the league was trying something. Trying something different versus just complaining about what already exists for the sake of griping is also rare.
Part of the fun of the tournament in its current, very green iteration, is its messiness. Last season, athletes were clear about how they, too, were stumped on the rules. How did the point system work? What were the knockout rules? Why were the custom courts so garish? But for the most part, players leaned into it. Did the Lakers lean a little too hard into it by hanging the In-Season Tournament banner in the rafters? Absolutely. But these are Tuesday night games in November — nothing about them should be sacrosanct.
A genuine lift I noticed and liked about last season’s tournament, and my real point of defense, is how these games operated as additional runway for a handful of teams on the verge. The In-Season Tournament was where we started to see the Pacers flourish and use the breakneck speed that went on to become a critical component of their entirely unique offense. The Pelicans also treated the tournament as something different, approaching the games like an escape from the early season injury woes that derailed them (unfortunately in a very cruel deja vu, we’re seeing the same thing this season). There’s going to be more emerging teams and play styles showing themselves this time around.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis LaMelo Ball shows significant offensive growth, becoming a key player for the Charlotte Hornets with improved shooting and playmaking skills. His maturation is a promising sign for the team’s future success. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Charlotte Hornets and the Orlando Magic meet in a 7:00 PM Eastern game at the Amway Center in Orlando. Read the preview.(NBA)
Injury The NBA has a ‘missing stars’ problem with injuries piling up faster than normal. (Yahoo! Sports)
Rumor Did Giannis Antetokounmpo’s fake handshake prank launch a new NBA rivalry?
Preview The tiny town and legendary 1980s NBA team that built NBA Draft phenom Cooper Flagg (ESPN)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Monday’s NBA Fantasy Basketball Recap
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center.|Photo by Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Monday’s NBA action featured five games, each packed with performances and injury updates that could reshape your fantasy basketball strategy.
Injury Updates Affecting Lineups
Damian Lillard’s entry into concussion protocol means he’ll miss Tuesday’s game, with a slim chance of returning by Wednesday. This quick turnaround is unusual, so keep an eye on updates. Meanwhile, Gary Trent Jr. is still dealing with back spasms, and despite his fantasy position eligibility, he’s not a point guard, averaging only two assists per game. The Milwaukee Bucks are experimenting with their lineup, with Pat Connaughton and Ryan Rollins as potential backup point guards. Giannis Antetokounmpo can handle point guard duties, but he needs support, especially with Khris Middleton unavailable.
Zion Williamson’s injury update is a blow to fantasy managers. He’s expected to be out for four to six weeks, longer than initially anticipated. If you have an IR spot, hold onto him, but be prepared for a potentially extended absence. Malik Monk’s ankle injury will keep him out for at least two weeks, affecting the Sacramento Kings’ lineup. Kevin Huerter and Keon Ellis could see increased value in the short term.
Game Highlights and Player Performances
The San Antonio Spurs pulled off a surprising 116-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Victor Wembanyama was the standout performer, delivering a stellar 34 points and 14 rebounds, solidifying his status as a top fantasy player. De’Aaron Fox’s assist numbers are concerning, especially with DeMar DeRozan’s arrival affecting his role. DeRozan’s on-court fit with the Kings remains a question mark. Kevin Huerter’s inconsistency continues, and while he had a hot streak, his recent performance was lacklustre. Keegan Murray’s struggles are evident, and I don’t see him breaking into the top 75 players this season.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Hornets podcasts.
Hornets Face Magic in NBA Cup Opener: Can LaMelo Ball Lead the Way Without Key Bigs? The Charlotte Hornets begin NBA Cup play against the Orlando Magic, with key players out for both teams, giving the Hornets a shot at victory. We also discuss LaMelo Ball’s impressive performance as he’s nominated again for Eastern Conference Player of the Week. What does this mean for his development? And could Charlotte’s effort rebounding edge push them past Orlando? Tune in to hear Doug and Walker break down the game strategy, the NBA Cup’s importance, and LaMelo’s standout shooting stats.
Are the Hornets Shooting Too Many 3s? + Miles Bridges Injured In today’s episode, we dive into the latest injury news from the Charlotte Hornets with updates on Miles Bridges, Mark Williams, and Nick Richards. With a string of injuries affecting the lineup, Doug and Walker discuss how the new training staff is managing the situation and whether the Hornets are taking too many three-pointers. The hosts debate the team’s offensive strategy and preview the upcoming matchup against the Indiana Pacers, including insights on LaMelo Ball vs. Tyrese Haliburton and the challenges the Hornets face against a Pacers team who can overwhelm you with shot makers.
