Moussa Diabate
May 2026
Moussa Diabate has been named the NBA Hustle Award winner after a standout season defined by effort plays, helping drive a major turnaround for the Charlotte Hornets. Diabate’s contributions in rebounds, screens, defensive contests and loose ball recoveries elevated team performance. His impact as a starter transformed Charlotte into one of the league’s most improved sides.
Bam Adebayo
April 2026
Bam Adebayo left Miami’s play-in game against Charlotte in the second quarter and did not return after a hard fall injured his back. The incident followed contact with LaMelo Ball and became a major talking point after the game. Ball grabbed at Adebayo’s ankle during the sequence, causing him to fall hard on his backside. No foul was called and the play could not be reviewed once action continued, which left Miami furious after the Hornets eventually won in overtime.
Jayson Tatum
March 2026
Jayson Tatum said it would not be crazy to say he feels back after delivering 32 points in Boston’s win over Charlotte. The outing was his best since returning from an Achilles injury and included another milestone as he reached 14,000 career points. Tatum scored efficiently, hit five threes and said he felt more decisive and explosive than in his previous game. Boston improved to 9-2 since his return, while the scoring landmark underlined how quickly he has resumed elite production after a demanding rehabilitation.
Dell Curry
March 2026
Dell Curry’s No. 30 will be retired by the Charlotte Hornets, honouring one of the most important figures in franchise history. The ceremony recognises his decade as a player, his long broadcasting role and his lasting place in the organisation’s identity. Curry was surprised with the news during what he thought was a routine on-air segment, leaving him emotional and briefly speechless. He remains one of the most decorated players in Hornets history and will become just the second player to have his number raised by the franchise.
Mike Conley Jr
February 2026
Mike Conley has re-signed with Minnesota on a minimum contract after being traded to the Bulls, moved to the Hornets, then waived. The sequence made him eligible to return to the Timberwolves. Minnesota reduced its luxury tax position by moving Conley’s original salary, then brought him back cheaply, gaining cap flexibility that helped enable a separate guard acquisition. Conley’s on-court role has dipped, but he remains valued for leadership.
Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets
February 2026
Stewart was suspended seven games for leaving the bench area, aggressively entering the altercation, and fighting. Bridges and Diabaté received four games each, and Duren received two games. The NBA said the sequence started when Diabaté committed a defensive foul on Duren with 7:09 left in the third quarter of Detroit’s 110-104 win. All four were ejected after technical fouls, with Stewart’s longer ban partly tied to prior unsportsmanlike history.
Coby White
February 2026
White says he expected to be moved after Chicago traded other veterans and shifted direction. He is now with Charlotte but has not debuted yet due to a calf injury, and there is no timetable for his return. He describes the deal as a homecoming to North Carolina and says the Hornets have welcomed him into a rising, young group. He expects to fit behind LaMelo Ball initially, while providing depth and flexibility given the team’s backcourt demands.
James Harden
January 2026
Harden passed O’Neal for ninth all-time in regular-season points, then extended the gap while posting 32 points and 10 assists in a Clippers win. A third-quarter three pushed him past O’Neal’s total; he built separation across the second half and remains well behind Wilt Chamberlain in eighth.
Rick Carlisle
January 2026
Carlisle became the 11th NBA coach to reach 1,000 wins after Indiana beat Charlotte 114-112, ending a brutal month that included a 13-game losing streak. Indiana closed the final minute with key plays including a Siakam go-ahead finish and a steal after. Carlisle credited players for grinding through injuries and setbacks, emphasising standards and adaptability across eras.
Kon Knueppel
December 2025
Kon Knueppel left the Hornets’ clash with the Magic due to a right ankle injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game, cutting short a promising outing in which the No. 4 overall pick had already scored a team-high 16 points for Charlotte. The rookie, averaging 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists across his first 30 NBA games, had appeared in every contest this season before this setback. Charlotte confirmed his absence for the rest of the night, with further evaluation to determine how long he will be sidelined.
