2020–21 Charlotte Hornets season
The 2020–21 Charlotte Hornets season was the 31st season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Hornets were coached by James Borrego, in his third season as the team's head coach. Following the 2019–20 NBA season, the Hornets qualified as a lottery team, receiving the 3rd overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft lottery. The Hornets selected LaMelo Ball with the 3rd pick in the 2020 NBA draft, followed by Vernon Carey Jr. and Grant Riller in the second round. In a draft-night trade, the Hornets also acquired Nick Richards from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick. On November 30, in a sign-and-trade deal with the Boston Celtics, the Hornets acquired Gordon Hayward and two future second-round picks in exchange for a protected 2022 second-round pick. On March 25, the Hornets acquired Brad Wanamaker, a protected 2022 second-round pick, and cash considerations from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for a protected 2025 second-round pick. The Hornets' season ended following a 144–117 loss to the Indiana Pacers in the NBA play-in tournament. NBA draft Roster Standings Division Conference Notes z – Clinched home court advantage for the entire playoffs c – Clinched home court advantage for the conference playoffs y – Clinched division title x – Clinched playoff spot pb – Clinched play-in spot o – Eliminated from playoff contention * – Division leader Game log Preseason |-style="background:#fcc;" | 1 | December 12 | Toronto | | Miles Bridges (12) | LaMelo Ball (10) | LaMelo Ball (4) | Spectrum Center | 0–1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 2 | December 14 | Toronto | | McDaniels, Rozier (15) | Bridges, Washington (6) | Graham, Hayward (6) | Spectrum Center | 0–2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 3 | December 17 | @ Orlando | | Terry Rozier (20) | Terry Rozier (7) | Devonte' Graham (6) | Amway Center | 1–2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 4 | December 19 | @ Orlando | | Devonte' Graham (25) | Miles Bridges (15) | Terry Rozier (6) | Amway Center | 1–3 Regular season |-style="background:#fcc;" | 1 | December 23 | @ Cleveland | | Terry Rozier (42) | Miles Bridges (6) | Devonte' Graham (10) | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse300 | 0–1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 2 | December 26 | Oklahoma City | | Terry Rozier (19) | Bismack Biyombo (9) | Devonte' Graham (10) | Spectrum Center 0 | 0–2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 3 | December 27 | Brooklyn | | Gordon Hayward (28) | P. J. Washington (12) | Gordon Hayward (7) | Spectrum Center 0 | 1–2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 4 | December 30 | @ Dallas | | LaMelo Ball (22) | Miles Bridges (16) | Ball, Graham (5) | American Airlines Center0 | 2–2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 5 | January 1 | Memphis | | Bismack Biyombo (16) | LaMelo Ball (6) | Bismack Biyombo (12) | Spectrum Center0 | 2–3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 6 | January 2 | @ Philadelphia | | Terry Rozier (35) | Devonte' Graham (9) |