The Charlotte Hornets faced a challenging start to their 2024-25 NBA season, kicking off with back-to-back games against the defending champions, the Boston Celtics. Fresh off a loss to the Indiana Pacers, the Celtics entered these games motivated to reassert their dominance. For the Hornets, this stretch could have been a tough blow early in the season, but they rose to the challenge, going punch-for-punch with the champions, even though they ultimately fell short. Despite the two losses, the Hornets are showing signs of a shift in their approach—and it’s starting to change the conversation around this team.
Watching the Hornets play so far, you can see the new direction in their game style. Not only are they aggressive with the three-point shot, but they’re attacking the boards, especially on the offensive end, giving them more scoring opportunities through second chances. This high-energy approach speaks to a shift in their mentality, one that could pay off as they face other strong opponents.
As the Hornets continue their journey this season, the road only gets tougher. But in these early struggles, there are positives to take away. Next up, they head to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves—a matchup that presents a chance to build on what they learned from the Celtics series. Can they expand on these promising signs and keep the momentum going? Let’s dive into the possibilities.
Stopping Anthony Edwards
For the Hornets to succeed, they need to contain the opposition’s top players—and so far, they’ve struggled. In seven games, they haven’t managed to prevent a key player from putting up big numbers. While the defense has shown flashes of promise, the results have yet to follow. Tonight’s matchup against Anthony Edwards presents another major test.
Edwards entered this season on a trajectory for another dominant year, averaging 28.3 points per game. His scoring versatility has drawn league-wide attention, and his three-point shooting, in particular, is on a new level. Last season, he averaged 6.7 three-point attempts, making 2.4 per game. This season, Edwards has nearly doubled those numbers, attempting 12.3 threes and sinking 5.3.
The Hornets have capable defenders who will need to make every point Edwards scores hard-earned. They may not be able to stop him from putting up numbers, but forcing him into tougher shots and disrupting his rhythm can make a big difference.
Miles Bridges Needs To Step Up
After averaging over 20 points last season despite a prolonged absence, Miles Bridges has struggled to find his rhythm early this season. Over seven games, he’s shooting just 37% from the field and 25% from three. His shot attempts have dropped from 17.5 to 12.5 per game, and he’s playing seven fewer minutes on average (down from 37.4 to 30.7).
Bridges signed a significant contract extension this offseason, and the Hornets are counting on him to be a core part of their offense. As the season progresses, they hope his early struggles will fade. Tonight, Bridges has an opportunity to get back on track against Julius Randle, who is a more effective offensive player than defender. If Bridges can exploit this matchup, it could be a much-needed spark for both him and the team.
A Lesser Of Two Evils
Rudy Gobert presents problems for opposing teams, regardless of what his numbers may suggest. So far, Gobert is averaging a double-double with 1.2 blocks per game—his lowest since his rookie season—but his shot-blocking ability remains elite. For the Hornets to stand a chance, they need to attack Gobert early and often.
Nick Richards has been a strong presence on the boards this season, averaging 10.0 rebounds per game, with 4.0 coming on the offensive end. With aggressive playmakers like LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Tre Mann, the Hornets will look to engage Richards early by creating opportunities for him on the offensive glass. If they can put consistent pressure on Gobert, they may be able to force him into early foul trouble.
Gobert’s absence would shift the dynamics of the game considerably. While reigning Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid lacks Gobert’s defensive intensity, his offensive versatility could pose new challenges for the Hornets. Reid’s three-level scoring ability is a unique threat, and the Hornets will need to adjust if he takes on a larger role. The Hornets will rather play an up-and-down game rather than a grind-out game.
In Conclusion
In tonight’s matchup, the Hornets have an opportunity to build on their gritty start by containing Anthony Edwards and challenging Rudy Gobert early. Success hinges on forcing Edwards into tough shots and putting pressure on Gobert to limit his defensive impact. If the Hornets can capitalize on these matchups, they may not only secure a hard-fought win but also set a tone for resilience and adaptability that could define their season.
