A Win Tonight Would Snap a Three-Year Drought for the Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets faithful have been put to the test in recent years. Failed prospects, hefty losses, injury-hampered stars, and above all, no postseason basketball.

Following a 4-14 start to this season, it was looking like another lost year in the Queen City. But luckily for everyone invested in this team, a season consists of 82 games, not 18.

And over the past couple of months, the Hornets have managed to mount one of the biggest mid-season comebacks in NBA history. They turned themselves from a lowly, uncoordinated team into a must-watch spectacle, and along the way, gave the fanbase and city a newfound feeling of hope.

A fan holds tip a sign in support of suspended Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate (14) during first quarter — Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Aside from the off-court effects, though, the improved performances have also left their mark on the Hornets' record. Since the dismal beginning, Charles Lee's squad has gone 36-22, putting them at 40-36 with six games left.

That means, with a win tonight against the Phoenix Suns, a losing season is out of the realm of possibilities! It would be the first non-losing season since 2021-22.

Back then, Charlotte won 43 games and finished 10th before flaming out in the first play-in game against Atlanta.

LaMelo Ball played a career-high 75 games and received his only All-Star nod that year, while Terry Rozier III, Miles Bridges, Gordon Hayward, Montrezl Harrell, and PJ Washington Jr. all averaged double-digit points.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1), guard Terry Rozier (3) and guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) pose during Charlotte Hornets — Before LaMelo, Kon, and Brandon, there was... | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

In the following years, the Hornets never even got close to finishing at 500. or above. They went 27-55, then 21-61, and finally 19-63 last year.

Ball was almost never healthy, rarely had help when he was, and a lot of the supposedly developing help never panned out (e.g.: James Bouknight, Scottie Lewis, JT Thor, Kai Jones, Vernon Carey Jr., Jalen McDaniels, Bryce McGowens, Amari Bailey, Nick Smith Jr.).

If the Hornets can wrap this season up with a winning record, it would be their seventh time doing so this century. That, of course, also means that they have had 17 seasons with a losing record during that timespan.

In case that didn't do the job, illustrating how bad the Hornets have been results-wise, this should do it: In their brief existence before the new century, they avoided a losing record eight times in just twelve seasons.

But as always, you can view this statistical nugget from two sides:

A) You conclude the Hornets have been really, really bad this century and start reminiscing on Larry Johnson, Muggsy Bogues, and Dell Curry. Or B) You see that even during their glory days, the Hornets had four losing seasons, and take it as a sign that better times are never that far away.

Either way, I implore you, yes YOU reading this, to enjoy the remaining games of Charlotte Hornets basketball this season, no matter the results or postseason outcome.

Because if things go bad once again and the play-ins are where this season comes to an end, there will be enough time to talk about what needs to improve and so on.

For now, think about how many great moments and fun victories this team has provided over the last couple of months. And when they do eventually secure a non-losing season, keep in mind that it has been anything but common for this franchise.

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