Patryk Stachowiak
After a difficult start to the 2025-26 season, the Charlotte Hornets transformed their trajectory at the turn of the year. The Hornets held a 4-14 record early on and entered January at 11-22. A dominant stretch through the first month of 2026 has put Buzz City back in contention for the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, a stage they have not reached since the 2021-22 campaign.
Currently sitting at 27-31 following a victory over Washington on Feb. 22, Charlotte is one win away from exceeding their best win total since 2022-23. They face the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday with a chance to surpass that mark, returning to the site where their revival began on Jan. 3.
1. Elite Offensive Efficiency
The Hornets struggled during the first two months, posting a 115.1 offensive rating and a -3.0 net rating. Since Jan. 1, the numbers have shifted dramatically. Charlotte now ranks first in offensive rating at 119.8 and third in net rating at 8.8. This efficiency is supported by a 59.5 true shooting percentage, which ranks fifth in the league. Their 16-9 record during this window is tied for the fifth-best in the NBA, trailing only top-tier contenders like Boston and Cleveland. A nine-game winning streak from Jan. 22 to Feb. 7 served as the focal point of this offensive clinical, marking the longest streak for the franchise since 1999.
2. Dominance on the Road
Early season road struggles saw the Hornets go 4-12 away from home before Dec. 31. The new year brought a complete reversal. Charlotte finished January with an 8-3 road record, securing double-digit wins against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Lakers. They posted a historic +151 road point differential for the month. Currently, the Hornets have won seven consecutive road games, their longest such streak since 1998.
3. Controlling the Glass
Rebounding has become a core tactical advantage. Since Jan. 1, Charlotte leads the NBA in defensive rebounding percentage at 73.7 and total rebounding percentage at 55.8. Charlotte effectively punishes opponents on the offensive glass too, ranking second in second-chance points with 18.9 per game while limiting opponents to just 12.5.
4. Impact of the Young Core
The return of Brandon Miller has been pivotal. After missing 16 of the first 22 games, the 23-year-old has been a mainstay in the lineup since Dec. 5. The primary five-man unit consisting of LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabaté, Kon Knueppel, and Miller has been statistically dominant. In 195 minutes together since January, this group has produced an astronomical 136.4 offensive rating and a 25.8 net rating.
5. Historical Production from Kon Knueppel
Rookie Kon Knueppel has exceeded expectations since being selected fourth overall. Averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, he trails only Cooper Flagg in rookie scoring. Knueppel has been exceptionally efficient with 48.7 / 43.5 / 89.1 shooting splits.
Knueppel leads the NBA in total 3-pointers made with 198. He has recorded 17 games with at least five 3-pointers, setting a new league record for rookies. He is only nine makes away from breaking the all-time rookie season record of 206.
With 24 games left in the season, Knueppel remains a primary candidate for Rookie of the Year honors as he matches veteran records for perimeter volume and scoring efficiency. Follow TipsGG for continued coverage of Charlotte‘s push for the postseason.
Read also: Kon Knueppel Moves Past Cooper Flagg in Latest NBA Rookie Rankings