Preseason Game Preview: Charlotte Hornets at Washington Wizards

The Hornets are aiming for their first win of the 2023-24 preseason.

Author:
Philip Trapp
Oct 12, 2023 9:39 AM EDT

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INJURY REPORT:

Hornets: OUT: James Bouknight (Knee), Cody Martin (Knee), Leaky Black (Ankle), Theo Maledon (Shoulder), Miles Bridges (Suspension) PROBABLE: Bryce McGowens (Ankle), Frank Ntilikina (Hamstring).

Wizards: OUT: Deni Avdija (Back), Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Knee), Landry Shamet (Toe), Taj Gibson (Groin)

GAME PREVIEW:

The Charlotte Hornets aim to get their first win of the 2023-24 preseason against the Washington Wizards after Tuesday's 113-109 loss to the Miami Heat. And while that loss was disappointing, the Hornets' performance in that opening game was encouraging overall — Lamelo Ball looked steady and accurate, Mark Williams looked dominant and determined, even Gordon Hayward looked good.

Despite some issues off the bench, Charlotte's starters appeared coordinated and confident. Can they use that energy to top the Wizards, who won only eight more games than Charlotte last regular season? Both Eastern Conference teams are also in their first season under new management — the Hornets with new majority owners Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, and the Wizards with a renovated front office headed up by former Los Angeles Clippers exec Michael Winger.

What do the Wizards have going for them on the court this season? Well, for one, we're looking at now fifth-year guard and 2022 NBA champion Jordan Poole on the Washington squad after earning his stripes with the Golden State Warriors. (The Warriors selected him in the first round of the 2019 draft.) Perhaps his presence can make up for a missing Bradley Beal, a leading scorer for Washington last season. (The Wizards traded Beal to the Phoenix Suns in June.)

The game will air at 7:00 PM EST on NBA TV.

KEY MATCHUP: Terry Rozier vs Jordan Poole

The last time Terry Rozier faced Poole was on December 27, 2022, in San Francisco. That night, Poole helped the Warriors close down the Hornets 110-105 — even without Stephen Curry, who was nursing a shoulder injury. Now with the Wizards, Poole started Washington's first preseason game on Tuesday, which resulted in a 145-82 shutdown of the Australian NBL team the Cairns Taipans. Poole had 18 points in 20 minutes played against the Taipans; Rozier logged 13 points over 24 minutes in the Hornet's loss at Miami on Tuesday.