For the Charlotte Hornets, the most thrilling part of this season might be when it ends. With a dismal 14-46 record and losers of 17 of their last 20 games, the Hornets sit firmly as the second-worst team in the NBA. While the standings suggest they aren’t at rock bottom, recent performances have made even that seem generous.
In a four-game series against the league’s worst team, the Washington Wizards, the Hornets were not just beaten—they were swept. Outscored by an average of 8.7 points per game, including two double-digit losses, the Hornets made the Wizards look like playoff contenders. Getting swept by the NBA’s basement dwellers is a new low for a team struggling to find even a shred of dignity.
Plagued by injuries and a roster in disarray, the Hornets’ season has spiraled into a nightmare. After yet another loss, Miles Bridges openly questioned if they were the league’s worst team. With answers elusive and patience running thin, the question now hangs over the franchise: Are they?
Compare and Contrast
The Wizards and Hornets have struggled against Eastern Conference teams this season. A closer look reveals Charlotte’s bleak situation. The Wizards have been terrible against top-six teams in the East, holding a 0-16 record. The Hornets have been slightly better against top teams, managing a 5-11 record. Charlotte has also found success against weaker teams in the conference. They are 2-0 against the Indiana Pacers. The Hornets have also secured two close wins over the Detroit Pistons.
However, regarding match ups against teams ranked 7-13 in the conference, the Wizards have shown a bit more fight, posting a 5-8 record. On the other hand, the Hornets have floundered to a miserable 2-12 in those games, further underscoring their struggles. Some might argue that the Hornets deserve a bit of leeway due to the constant lineup shuffling they’ve endured, but the reality is that both teams have been abysmal. Determining which franchise has fallen further becomes more complicated as the season drags on.
Who’s The Worst?
The numbers paint a brutal picture for both teams when comparing the Hornets and Wizards. Charlotte has lost 25 46 games by double digits and endured four separate six-game losing streaks. Worse still, the Hornets made history as the first NBA team to lose three straight games by 35 or more points.
The Wizards, however, might have a stronger case for the title of the league’s worst. Of their 49 losses, 40 have been by 10 or more points. They’ve also had one six-game losing streak and two soul-crushing stretches of 16 consecutive losses. Their -12.5 point differential isn’t just bad—it’s the worst in the NBA.
When you stack up the numbers side-by-side, it’s a challenge to determine which team has hit a lower point this season. But one thing is clear: Both franchises desperately need answers.
In Conclusion
Trying to decide whether the Hornets or Wizards are the worst team in the NBA this season feels like splitting hairs. Both franchises have endured humiliating losses, record-breaking lows, and seasons of frustration and failure. The Hornets’ historic losing streaks and the Wizards’ league-worst point differential highlight how far they’ve fallen. As the season ends, the real question is not which team is worse, but how either can recover. The off-season can’t come soon enough for fans in Charlotte and Washington.
