The NBA released its 2024-25 schedule yesterday, giving Charlotte Hornets fans hope and concern. On the bright side, the Hornets will be featured on national television seven times—six times on NBA TV (11/21 vs. Detroit, 11/29 vs. New York, 12/28 vs. Oklahoma City, 1/20 vs. Dallas, 3/3 vs. Golden State, and 4/6 vs. Chicago), and once on ESPN (1/17 vs. Chicago).
However, the season starts with a tough challenge. Six of the Hornets’ first ten games are against playoff contenders, including a daunting back-to-back against the Boston Celtics. The Hornets must start strong and set the tone early to push for a play-in spot.
The schedule intensifies as the Hornets face a grueling five-game road trip starting on January 9th, with stops in Los Angeles (Lakers and Clippers), Phoenix, Utah, and Chicago. For the first time in franchise history, the Hornets will enjoy a nine-game homestand from January 24th to February 7th. However, an eight-game road trip from February 9th to 27th, spanning the All-Star break, follows. With 15 back-to-backs throughout the season, the Hornets will have plenty of opportunities to prove themselves.
These challenging stretches and high-stakes matchups could define the Hornets’ season. Let’s delve into these crucial games and explore why they matter for Charlotte’s quest to become a playoff contender.
3 Hornets Regular Season Matchups To Watch Early On
October 23rd @ Houston
The Hornets will travel to Houston in the season opener to take on the upstart Rockets. Last season, the Rockets exceeded expectations, finishing 41-41 and securing 11th place in the Western Conference—a significant improvement from previous years. Their success stemmed mainly from the free-agent signings of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. VanVleet solidified the point guard position, averaging 17.4 points, 8.1 assists, and 3.8 rebounds on 41% shooting, including 38% from three. Brooks contributed 12.7 points and 3.4 rebounds while bringing a new level of aggression to the floor.
‘Under first-year coach Ime Udoka, the Rockets became a top-15 team after languishing among the league’s worst. Alperen Sengun’s breakout season, in which he averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, earned him third place in Most Improved voting.
Houston’s quiet offseason saw them bring back much of the same roster. They selected Reed Sheppard with the third overall pick in the 2024 draft. Sheppard impressed during the summer league, showing why some argued he should have gone first overall. While he may still find his role, his potential impact on this game could be significant.
Last season, the Rockets swept the Hornets 2-0, with an average point differential of 16.5 points. However, with both teams likely to be rusty at the start of the season, this game presents a prime opportunity for the Hornets to steal a win against a quality opponent. The Hornets will need to address the defensive lapses that plagued them last year if they hope to reverse the outcome this time around.
November 1st Vs. Boston
In back-to-back home games, the Hornets will face the defending champion Boston Celtics. To be the best, you have to beat the best, and last season, the Celtics were undoubtedly that. They dominated with a 64-18 regular-season record and went 16-3 in the playoffs. Offensively, the Celtics were a powerhouse, ranking 2nd in points per game (120.6), 1st in offensive rating (123.2), and leading the league in three-pointers made and attempted (16.5 and 42.5). Defensively, they were equally formidable, finishing 5th in opponents’ points per game (109.2) and 3rd in defensive rating (111.6).
During the offseason, the Celtics prioritized retaining the core players who led them to the title. While they lost assistant coach Charles Lee, they secured long-term deals for Jayson Tatum (a five-year, $304 million extension), Derrick White (a four-year, $125.9 million extension), and Sam Hauser (a four-year, $45 million extension).
However, the offseason wasn’t without controversy. Tatum and Jaylen Brown found themselves at the center of a debate involving Team USA. Despite being Finals MVP and a top two-way player, Brown was controversially left off Team USA, sparking public debate. Tatum, who made the team, saw limited minutes, leaving some fans puzzled. As the season begins, both players will be eager to prove themselves and make strong statements on the court.
Last season, the Celtics took the series 2-1. In the losses, the Hornets were outscored by 23.5 points, but they did squeak out a 121-118 overtime victory on November 20th. The Hornets face a tough challenge against the motivated champions and must be at their best to compete.
November 6th vs. Detroit
The Detroit Pistons and Hornets struggled in the Eastern Conference last season, but their offseason changes could make this matchup compelling. Last season, the Pistons garnered attention for all the wrong reasons. After a promising 2-1 start, they set an NBA record by losing 28 straight games. In addition to that historic streak, the Pistons endured four separate losing streaks of six or more games. Wins were hard to come by, as the Pistons managed only three two-game winning streaks all season.
This summer, the Pistons underwent a significant overhaul. They parted ways with General Manager Troy Weaver and Head Coach Monty Williams, bringing Trajan Langdon and J.B. Bickerstaff to lead the franchise. In the draft, the Pistons selected Ron Holland with the 5th overall pick and traded up 16 spots in the second round to choose Bobi Klintman. They added much-needed veteran presence in free agency by trading for Tim Hardaway Jr. from the Dallas Mavericks and signing Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley. They also re-signed Simone Fontecchio and extended Cade Cunningham with a $200+ million rookie max deal.
What makes this game particularly intriguing is the brewing rivalry. On the Jeff Teague podcast, Green joked about preferring a trade to the Pistons over the Hornets, quipping, “Don’t trade me to Charlotte.” This light-hearted jab didn’t sit well with Miles Bridges, who responded with a flurry of middle finger emojis. This playful back-and-forth motivates the Hornets as they aim to prove themselves as a rising team in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons swept the Hornets 3-0 last season, but this year’s revamped rosters could shift the rivalry’s balance.
In Conclusion
The Charlotte Hornets 2024-25 season presents a mix of challenging matchups and opportunities for growth. With a revamped roster and a chip on their shoulders, the Hornets have the potential to surprise opponents and establish themselves as contenders in the Eastern Conference. Whether facing defending champions or rebuilding rivals, each game will test their resolve and ability to rise above last season’s struggles. This season will be crucial in determining the Hornets’ trajectory and proving they belong among the league’s elite.
