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.
LaMelo Ball’s 4th Quarter Heroics Make for a Wild Weekend
Nov 10, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) reacts after his three pointer during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images|Bill Streicher/Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
We’re coming off a tough 107-105 overtime loss to the 76ers, and while it’s frustrating to fall short, this game was packed with important takeaways. LaMelo Ball’s explosive 16-point fourth quarter nearly took us over the top, showcasing his elite scoring ability. But, as much as we love watching LaMelo carry this team in the clutch, the game also exposed where the Hornets need balance and support to keep competing in the East.
1 Big Thing: A Loss That Reveals Growth Potential Let’s face it—when the 76ers rolled out a shorthanded lineup, this game felt winnable. LaMelo put on a fourth-quarter clinic, but our team couldn’t close the deal in OT, plagued by turnovers, missed shots, and some less-than-ideal late-game execution. Doug Branson put it well: it felt like a playoff simulation, giving us a taste of high-stakes basketball. And that’s exactly what we need to learn from.
What This Means for Our Future This season is all about development for the Hornets. Head Coach Charles Lee is building a system that emphasizes three-point shooting and aggressive defense, even though we’re still rounding out our roster to fit this style. With injuries keeping out key players like Miles Bridges and Tre Mann, we’re in full learning mode. Last night’s game wasn’t just about winning; it was about assessing what’s working and what isn’t—and finding those moments where we can learn to close better.
Stat to Watch: LaMelo’s Usage Rate Hits 38% LaMelo’s incredible usage rate (38%) tells the story of just how much he’s carrying. We love his creativity, but with so much pressure on his shoulders, it raises the question: should LaMelo be focused on scoring less and distributing more to balance the load? Right now, the game plan funnels everything through him, and while it’s keeping us competitive, finding ways to get more players involved will be key to our success over the long haul.
Injury Updates & Roster Changes Injury-wise, Tre Mann is still dealing with back soreness, which could explain his limited minutes last night. Vasa Micic is another player we’re still waiting to see fully integrated, as he’s continuing to work on conditioning and consistency. But on the bright side, Brandon Miller showed up big-time against Indiana, putting up 29 points and really helping us separate from the Pacers in the second half. His development is coming fast and fun to watch—when he’s in rhythm, it completely changes our offensive flow.
My Take: Embrace the Process Ten games in, we’re 4-6, and I think that’s respectable given the circumstances. Injuries aside, there’s a grit in this squad that wasn’t as present last season, and I credit Coach Lee for instilling that. LaMelo’s on fire and Brandon Miller is starting to find his footing, but we need to bring everyone else along. Execution is our biggest challenge right now—turnovers, missed looks, and a lack of spacing are all areas that we can (and will) improve.
I know it’s hard to be patient, but if we keep competing like this, it’s only a matter of time before the wins start to stack up. The Hornets are finding their identity, and that’s exactly what this year is all about.
37 points, 18 rebounds, 15 assists. The first NBA player to reach these numbers in a game, and Nikola Jokic did it on a Sunday night in Denver, snowy pockets of flurries settling over the city. I wish I’d been collecting these stat lines all along, or had thought to make a note on the calendar when they happened. I’d like to see if there’s a pattern, though I’ve got a hunch that the dates would come to mean less than what the volume of them proves: in Jokic’s hands, the unprecedented becomes routine.
It starts with his skill, we know this. But let’s zero in on how he carries himself around the floor, how he moves. Jokic lopes, jogs, shuffles, occasionally bops, tends to move laterally more than he does in a direct line. It all serves to create an illusion that he’s slow and behind the pace. It’s why so many have a difficult time categorizing what it is he’s doing — he doesn’t work the way a basketball player does, tends to be the refrain. It’s because he looks, most of the time, relaxed
He can also appear pressed, like there’s someplace else he’d rather be. This is not the kind of approach we like to see from our stars. If they don’t look dialled in, if it doesn’t look strenuous at least some of the time, we tend to distrust their effort and skill. But Jokic’s arduousness is some of my favourite in the league, because it presents at our expense. And indeed, it must be exhausting to prove nearly every night that you can manipulate the game at every level.
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
Trade The Hornets are exploring three potential big men to strengthen their frontcourt as they look to replace Mark Williams and Nick Richards. (Sports Illustrated)
Personnel Learn how Hornets executive James Jordan leans on his military experience to try and help take the team to the next level. (Charlotte Observer, subscription required)
Analysis How Nikola Jokic became the world’s best basketball player. (The New Yorker)
Chet Holmgren’s Injury: What It Means for the Thunder and Fantasy Basketball Managers
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) holds his leg after a hard following a play against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Paycom Center.|Photo by Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Chet Holmgren’s Injury: What It Means for the Thunder and Fantasy Managers
Sunday’s NBA action took a concerning turn for the Oklahoma City Thunder as Chet Holmgren, their promising young centre, suffered a hip injury just five minutes into the game against the Golden State Warriors. This incident has left both the team and fantasy managers in a state of uncertainty, as Holmgren’s presence on the court has been pivotal.
The Impact of Holmgren’s Injury
Holmgren’s injury occurred during an attempt to contest a dunk, resulting in a hard fall that left him limping off the court. The Thunder have since reported it as a hip injury, but the full extent and severity remain unclear. Given Holmgren’s importance to the Thunder’s lineup, any absence could significantly impact their performance, especially considering their current lack of depth at the centre position.
Potential Replacements and Adjustments
In the wake of Holmgren’s injury, the Thunder may need to rely on a smaller lineup, as they did against the Warriors. This could mean increased minutes for players like Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace, who might see more court time and opportunities to contribute. In deeper leagues, Ousmane Dieng could also be considered for a temporary boost, though none are likely to replicate Holmgren’s production. Fantasy managers might consider these short-term pickups, but it’s crucial to temper expectations, as the Thunder’s rotation could remain fluid.
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.
Hornets BUZZER BEATER: Miller’s Heroics, LaMelo’s Explosive Fourth Quarter, and Bridges’ Big Night In a nail-biter, the Charlotte Hornets secure a thrilling 108-107 win against the Detroit Pistons, powered by Brandon Miller’s game-winning tip-in, LaMelo Ball’s electric fourth-quarter performance, and Miles Bridges’ resurgence. We break down Miller’s offensive rebound, LaMelo’s scoring rampage, and Coach Charles Lee’s tactical adjustments to get the best out of Bridges.
