The Charlotte Hornets Walked Out of Orlando with One of Their Most Encouraging Wins of the Season Last Night but Not without a Collective Hold-Your-Breath Moment.
Charlotte knocked off the Orlando Magic, continuing a stretch of basketball that’s starting to resemble real momentum. The cost, however, came in the second quarter when Kon Knueppel rolled his ankle, briefly quieting what had been a confident, connected performance.
The good news arrived quickly after the game, with head coach Charles Lee confirming X-rays were negative — a sigh of relief for a team that’s already had its share of injury anxiety this season.
Before the scare, the Hornets were doing exactly what they’ve been trying to learn how to do: stack solid habits on top of each other.
The ball moved, the defensive effort was consistent, and the energy didn’t waver when Orlando made runs. That’s a big reason Charlotte is now 4–2 over its last six games, a modest sample size but an important step for a young group learning how to sustain winning basketball.
One of the biggest bright spots continues to be Tidjane Salaün, who has been excellent since being recalled from the Greensboro Swarm. Salaün finished with 14 points on an ultra-efficient 6-of-7 shooting, knocked down 2-of-3 from deep, grabbed eight rebounds, and added a block in just 22 minutes. The numbers are impressive, but it’s the decisiveness that stands out — quick reads, confident finishes, and an understanding of where he fits within the offense.
That kind of internal development is what makes this win feel bigger than one night in Orlando. Charlotte isn’t just surviving games anymore; it’s starting to build something repeatable. If Knueppel’s ankle issue proves minor, this stretch could represent a turning point — not a hot streak, but the early stages of consistency finally taking root.
The Hornets are learning that growth doesn’t always come cleanly. Sometimes it comes with a win, a scare, and a reminder that progress is rarely linear. For now, though, Charlotte keeps moving forward — and that’s the most important takeaway of all.
Charlotte will get the weekend to rest - good for Kon Knueppel - before hosting the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.