2021–22 Charlotte Hornets season

2021–22 Charlotte Hornets season
Head coachJames Borrego
General managerMitch Kupchak
OwnersMichael Jordan
ArenaSpectrum Center
Results
Record43–39 (.524)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Southeast)
Conference: 10th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionBally Sports South, Bally Sports Southeast
RadioWFNZ
< 2020–21 2022–23 >

The 2021–22 Charlotte Hornets season was the 32nd season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Despite clinching a spot in the postseason via the play-in tournament for the second consecutive season, the Hornets lost 132–103 to the Atlanta Hawks, and have not played in the playoffs since 2016.[1]

After failing to make the playoffs in his four seasons as head coach, James Borrego was fired at the end of the season. He posted a 138–163 (.458) record during his tenure with the Hornets.[2]

With the Memphis Grizzlies winning the Southwest Division title for the first time in Grizzlies' franchise history, Charlotte is now the only NBA franchise to have never won a division title, having gone 32 seasons without winning a division title since the franchise began play in the 1988–89 season.

NBA draft

Main article: 2021 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/club team
1 11 James Bouknight SG  United States UConn
2 56 Scottie Lewis SG  United States Florida
2 57 Balša Koprivica C  Serbia Florida State

Roster

2021–22 Charlotte Hornets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 2 Ball, LaMelo (C) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-08-22 SPIRE Academy (OH)
G 5 Bouknight, James 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2000-09-18 Connecticut
F 0 Bridges, Miles 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1998-03-21 Michigan State
F/C 8 Harrell, Montrezl 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1994-01-26 Louisville
SF 20 Hayward, Gordon Injured 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1990-03-23 Butler
F/C 23 Jones, Kai 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 221 lb (100 kg) 2001-01-19 Texas
F 98 Kulboka, Arnoldas (TW) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 1998-01-04 Lithuania
G 16 Lewis, Scottie (TW) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2000-03-12 Florida
F 11 Martin, Cody 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1995-09-28 Nevada
F 6 McDaniels, Jalen 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1998-01-31 San Diego State
G/F 12 Oubre, Kelly 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 203 lb (92 kg) 1995-12-09 Kansas
C 24 Plumlee, Mason 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 254 lb (115 kg) 1990-03-05 Duke
C 14 Richards, Nick 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1997-11-29 Kentucky
G 3 Rozier, Terry 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1994-03-17 Louisville
G 4 Thomas, Isaiah 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1989-02-07 Washington
F 21 Thor, JT 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 203 lb (92 kg) 2002-08-26 Auburn
F 25 Washington, P. J. 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1998-08-23 Kentucky
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 2, 2022

Standings

Division

Southeast DivisionWLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
c – Miami Heat5329.646–29–1224–1713–382
x − Atlanta Hawks4339.52410.027–1416–259–782
pi − Charlotte Hornets4339.52410.022–1921–208–882
Washington Wizards3547.42718.021–2014–277–982
Orlando Magic2260.26831.012–2910–313–1382

Conference

Eastern Conference
#TeamWLPCTGBGP
1c – Miami Heat *5329.646–82
2y – Boston Celtics *5131.6222.082
3y – Milwaukee Bucks *5131.6222.082
4x – Philadelphia 76ers5131.6222.082
5x – Toronto Raptors4834.5855.082
6x – Chicago Bulls4636.5617.082
7x − Brooklyn Nets4438.5379.082
8pi − Cleveland Cavaliers4438.5379.082
9x − Atlanta Hawks4339.52410.082
10pi − Charlotte Hornets4339.52410.082
11New York Knicks3745.45116.082
12Washington Wizards3547.42718.082
13Indiana Pacers2557.30528.082
14Detroit Pistons2359.28030.082
15Orlando Magic2260.26831.082

Game log

Preseason

2021 preseason game log
Total: 1–3 (Home: 0–2; Road: 1–1)
Preseason: 1–3 (home: 0–2; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 4 @ Oklahoma City W 113–97 James Bouknight (20) McDaniels, Plumlee (7) LaMelo Ball (5) Paycom Center
N/A[a] 		1–0
2 October 7 Memphis L 98–128 Terry Rozier (21) Martin, Washington (5) LaMelo Ball (7) Spectrum Center
8,916 		1–1
3 October 11 @ Miami L 103–104 Miles Bridges (22) Miles Bridges (10) LaMelo Ball (9) FTX Arena
19,600 		1–2
4 October 13 Dallas L 59–127 James Bouknight (12) Nick Richards (9) Cody Martin (2) Spectrum Center
8,583 		1–3
2021–22 season schedule

Regular season

2021–22 game log
Total: 43–39 (Home: 22–19; Road: 21–20)
October: 5–2 (home: 2–1; road: 3–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 20 Indiana W 123–122 LaMelo Ball (31) Mason Plumlee (10) LaMelo Ball (7) Spectrum Center
15,521 		1–0
2 October 22 @ Cleveland W 123–112 Miles Bridges (30) Mason Plumlee (14) Ish Smith (8) Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
17,116 		2–0
3 October 24 @ Brooklyn W 111–95 Miles Bridges (32) Bridges, Oubre Jr. (9) Gordon Hayward (6) Barclays Center
17,732 		3–0
4 October 25 Boston L 129–140 Ball, Bridges (25) Mason Plumlee (11) LaMelo Ball (9) Spectrum Center
17,238 		3–1
5 October 27 @ Orlando W 120–111 Miles Bridges (31) Mason Plumlee (10) Hayward, Martin (5) Amway Center
14,082 		4–1
6 October 29 @ Miami L 99–114 Gordon Hayward (23) Miles Bridges (8) LaMelo Ball (6) FTX Arena
19,600 		4–2
7 October 31 Portland W 125–113 LaMelo Ball (27) LaMelo Ball (9) Miles Bridges (9) Spectrum Center
14,960 		5–2
November: 8–8 (home: 5–1; road: 3–7)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
8 November 1 Cleveland L 110–113 LaMelo Ball (30) Miles Bridges (9) Miles Bridges (8) Spectrum Center
13,889 		5–3
9 November 3 @ Golden State L 92–114 Miles Bridges (32) Gordon Hayward (11) LaMelo Ball (8) Chase Center
18,064 		5–4
10 November 5 @ Sacramento L 110–140 Gordon Hayward (25) Mason Plumlee (6) LaMelo Ball (13) Golden 1 Center
14,905 		5–5
11 November 7 @ L.A. Clippers L 106–120 LaMelo Ball (21) Terry Rozier (8) Miles Bridges (6) Staples Center
15,781 		5–6
12 November 8 @ L.A. Lakers L 123–126 (OT) Terry Rozier (29) LaMelo Ball (15) LaMelo Ball (11) Staples Center
18,997 		5–7
13 November 10 @ Memphis W 118–108 Kelly Oubre Jr. (37) Ball, Bridges (9) LaMelo Ball (8) FedExForum
13,880 		6–7
14 November 12 New York W 106–94 Miles Bridges (24) LaMelo Ball (17) LaMelo Ball (9) Spectrum Center
19,257 		7–7
15 November 14 Golden State W 106–102 Miles Bridges (22) Bridges, Martin (8) Mason Plumlee (6) Spectrum Center
19,559 		8–7
16 November 17 Washington W 97–87 Terry Rozier (19) Mason Plumlee (13) LaMelo Ball (14) Spectrum Center
14,402 		9–7
17 November 19 Indiana W 121–118 LaMelo Ball (32) LaMelo Ball (11) LaMelo Ball (8) Spectrum Center
16,787 		10–7
18 November 20 @ Atlanta L 105–115 Miles Bridges (35) Ball, Bridges (10) LaMelo Ball (11) State Farm Arena
17,320 		10–8
19 November 22 @ Washington W 109–103 Terry Rozier (32) LaMelo Ball (13) LaMelo Ball (7) Capital One Arena
16,575 		11–8
20 November 24 @ Orlando W 106–99 Terry Rozier (27) Miles Bridges (9) Bridges, Martin (6) Amway Center
16,114 		12–8
21 November 26 Minnesota W 133–115 Kelly Oubre Jr. (27) Jalen McDaniels (8) LaMelo Ball (13) Spectrum Center
19,314 		13–8
22 November 27 @ Houston L 143–146 (OT) Terry Rozier (31) LaMelo Ball (11) LaMelo Ball (13) Toyota Center
14,687 		13–9
23 November 29 @ Chicago L 119–133 Terry Rozier (31) Miles Bridges (8) LaMelo Ball (13) United Center
21,366 		13–10
December: 6–7 (home: 2–2; road: 4–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
24 December 1 @ Milwaukee L 125–127 LaMelo Ball (36) P. J. Washington (10) LaMelo Ball (9) Fiserv Forum
17,341 		13–11
25 December 5 @ Atlanta W 130–127 Miles Bridges (32) P. J. Washington (11) Ish Smith (7) State Farm Arena
16,383 		14–11
26 December 6 Philadelphia L 124–127 Kelly Oubre Jr. (35) P. J. Washington (8) Gordon Hayward (9) Spectrum Center
14,462 		14–12
27 December 8 Philadelphia L 106–110 Gordon Hayward (31) Kelly Oubre Jr. (10) Gordon Hayward (7) Spectrum Center
15,709 		14–13
28 December 10 Sacramento W 124–123 James Bouknight (24) Cody Martin (8) Miles Bridges (8) Spectrum Center
16,335 		15–13
29 December 13 @ Dallas L 96–120 Oubre Jr., Rozier (20) Miles Bridges (10) Gordon Hayward (6) American Airlines Center
19,213 		15–14
30 December 15 @ San Antonio W 131–115 Gordon Hayward (41) Jalen McDaniels (10) Miles Bridges (8) AT&T Center
14,354 		16–14
31 December 17 @ Portland W 125–116 LaMelo Ball (27) Miles Bridges (6) Miles Bridges (11) Moda Center
18,399 		16–15
32 December 19 @ Phoenix L 106–137 Miles Bridges (26) LaMelo Ball (10) LaMelo Ball (7) Footprint Center
17,071 		16–16
33 December 20 @ Utah L 102–112 Miles Bridges (21) Miles Bridges (11) LaMelo Ball (11) Vivint Arena
18,306 		16–17
34 December 23 @ Denver W 115–107 Kelly Oubre Jr. (23) P. J. Washington (9) P. J. Washington (5) Ball Arena
17,003 		17–17
35 December 27 Houston W 123–99 Terry Rozier (27) Mason Plumlee (9) LaMelo Ball (7) Spectrum Center
19,349 		18–17
36 December 29 @ Indiana W 116–108 Terry Rozier (35) Ball, Plumlee (12) LaMelo Ball (9) Gainbridge Fieldhouse
17,608 		19-17
January: 9–6 (home: 5–3; road: 4–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
37 January 2 Phoenix L 99–133 LaMelo Ball (17) Hayward, Richards (7) Ish Smith (8) Spectrum Center
19,088 		19–18
38 January 3 @ Washington L 121–124 Gordon Hayward (27) Miles Bridges (14) Mason Plumlee (7) Capital One Arena
8,902 		19–19
39 January 5 Detroit W 140–111 Kelly Oubre Jr. (32) Ball, Washington (8) LaMelo Ball (12) Spectrum Center
14,427 		20–19
40 January 8 Milwaukee W 114–106 Terry Rozier (28) Ball, Bridges, Washington (8) LaMelo Ball (8) Spectrum Center
19,139 		21–19
41 January 10 Milwaukee W 103–99 Terry Rozier (27) Miles Bridges (11) P. J. Washington (5) Spectrum Center
14,253 		22–19
42 January 12 @ Philadelphia W 109–98 Gordon Hayward (30) Bridges, Washington (8) LaMelo Ball (8) Wells Fargo Center
20,317 		23–19
43 January 14 Orlando L 109–116 LaMelo Ball (23) Mason Plumlee (10) LaMelo Ball (8) Spectrum Center
16,011 		23–20
44 January 17 @ New York W 97–87 Miles Bridges (38) Miles Bridges (12) Terry Rozier (7) Madison Square Garden
19,812 		24–20
45 January 19 @ Boston W 111–102 Terry Rozier (28) Ball, Plumlee (10) Ball, Rozier (10) TD Garden
19,156 		25–20
46 January 21 Oklahoma City W 121–98 Terry Rozier (24) Miles Bridges (14) Terry Rozier (9) Spectrum Center
15,835 		26–20
47 January 23 Atlanta L 91–113 Ball, Bridges (19) Mason Plumlee (11) Terry Rozier (7) Spectrum Center
15,822 		26–21
48 January 25 @ Toronto L 113–125 LaMelo Ball (25) Mason Plumlee (9) LaMelo Ball (7) Scotiabank Arena
0 		26–22
49 January 26 @ Indiana W 158–126 Kelly Oubre Jr. (39) LaMelo Ball (10) LaMelo Ball (13) Gainbridge Fieldhouse
14,116 		27–22
50 January 28 L.A. Lakers W 117–114 Miles Bridges (26) Mason Plumlee (17) Bridges, Plumlee (6) Spectrum Center
19,469 		28–22
51 January 30 L.A. Clippers L 90–115 LaMelo Ball (23) Mason Plumlee (10) LaMelo Ball (10) Spectrum Center
19,600 		28–23
February: 2–10 (home: 1–7; road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
52 February 2 @ Boston L 107–113 LaMelo Ball (38) Mason Plumlee (17) LaMelo Ball (9) TD Garden
19,156 		28–24
53 February 4 Cleveland L 101–102 Terry Rozier (24) Mason Plumlee (11) Miles Bridges (7) Spectrum Center
17,733 		28–25
54 February 5 Miami L 86–104 Terry Rozier (16) Mason Plumlee (10) Miles Bridges (5) Spectrum Center
19,420 		28–26
55 February 7 Toronto L 101–116 Miles Bridges (25) P. J. Washington (9) LaMelo Ball (9) Spectrum Center
14,102 		28–27
56 February 9 Chicago L 109–121 LaMelo Ball (33) Mason Plumlee (11) Terry Rozier (6) Spectrum Center
19,099 		28-28
57 February 11 @ Detroit W 141–119 LaMelo Ball (31) Plumlee, Rozier (10) LaMelo Ball (12) Little Caesars Arena
20,088 		29–28
58 February 12 Memphis L 118–125 Terry Rozier (35) Mason Plumlee (12) Terry Rozier (9) Spectrum Center
19,454 		29–29
59 February 15 @ Minnesota L 120–126 (OT) Miles Bridges (28) Mason Plumlee (17) Mason Plumlee (9) Target Center
17,136 		29–30
60 February 17 Miami L 107–111 (2OT) Miles Bridges (29) P. J. Washington (14) LaMelo Ball (14) Spectrum Center
17,029 		29–31
61 February 25 Toronto W 125–93 Oubre Jr., Rozier (23) Bridges, Harrell, Plumlee (10) Terry Rozier (9) Spectrum Center
17,577 		30–31
62 February 27 Detroit L 126–127 (OT) Terry Rozier (33) Miles Bridges (10) LaMelo Ball (7) Spectrum Center
15,348 		30–32
63 February 28 @ Milwaukee L 106–130 LaMelo Ball (24) Kelly Oubre Jr. (7) Terry Rozier (8) Fiserv Forum
17,341 		30–33
March: 10–4 (home: 5–4; road: 5–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
64 March 2 @ Cleveland W 119–98 Terry Rozier (29) Montrezl Harrell (9) Terry Rozier (7) Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
19,019 		31–33
65 March 5 San Antonio W 123–117 Terry Rozier (31) Mason Plumlee (13) LaMelo Ball (7) Spectrum Center
18,941 		32–33
66 March 8 Brooklyn L 121–132 Bridges, Rozier (30) Rozier, Washington (8) LaMelo Ball (7) Spectrum Center
17,230 		32–34
67 March 9 Boston L 101–115 Bridges, Washington (17) Mason Plumlee (15) Mason Plumlee (6) Spectrum Center
18,066 		32–35
68 March 11 @ New Orleans W 142–120 Miles Bridges (26) Miles Bridges (8) Ball, Bridges (9) Smoothie King Center
16,838 		33–35
69 March 14 @ Oklahoma City W 134–116 Terry Rozier (30) Mason Plumlee (11) Mason Plumlee (8) Paycom Center
15,810 		34–35
70 March 16 Atlanta W 116–106 LaMelo Ball (22) Mason Plumlee (10) LaMelo Ball (11) Spectrum Center
16,648 		35–35
71 March 19 Dallas W 128–109 Miles Bridges (23) Bridges, Martin (8) LaMelo Ball (7) Spectrum Center
19,279 		36–35
72 March 21 New Orleans W 106–103 Ball, Rozier (17) Mason Plumlee (10) LaMelo Ball (9) Spectrum Center
13,351 		37–35
73 March 23 New York L 106–121 LaMelo Ball (32) Ball, Bridges (9) Miles Bridges (9) Spectrum Center
16,290 		37–36
74 March 25 Utah W 107–101 Miles Bridges (26) Bridges, Plumlee (11) Ball, Washington (5) Spectrum Center
19,162 		38–36
75 March 27 @ Brooklyn W 119–110 LaMelo Ball (33) P. J. Washington (11) LaMelo Ball (9) Barclays Center
18,166 		39–36
76 March 28 Denver L 109–113 Miles Bridges (27) Miles Bridges (11) LaMelo Ball (11) Spectrum Center
17,614 		39–37
77 March 30 @ New York W 125–114 Miles Bridges (31) Bridges, Washington (6) LaMelo Ball (15) Madison Square Garden
19,812 		40–37
April: 3–2 (home: 2–0; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
78 April 2 @ Philadelphia L 114–144 Miles Bridges (20) Miles Bridges (5) Terry Rozier (6) Wells Fargo Center
21,509 		40–38
79 April 5 @ Miami L 115–144 Miles Bridges (29) Bridges, Plumlee, Washington (6) LaMelo Ball (14) FTX Arena
19,600 		40–39
80 April 7 Orlando W 128–101 LaMelo Ball (26) Ball, Rozier (8) LaMelo Ball (9) Spectrum Center
16,427 		41–39
81 April 8 @ Chicago W 133–117 LaMelo Ball (24) Montrezl Harrell (6) LaMelo Ball (9) United Center
21,461 		42–39
82 April 10 Washington W 124–108 Terry Rozier (25) LaMelo Ball (10) LaMelo Ball (9) Spectrum Center
18,465 		43–39
2021–22 season schedule

Play-in

2021 preseason game log
Total: 0–1 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–1)
Play-in: 0–1 (home: 0–0; road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 April 13 @ Atlanta L 103–132 Lamelo Ball (26) Martin, Washington (6) Lamelo Ball (7) State Farm Arena
18,137 		0–1
2021–22 season schedule

Transactions

Main article: List of 2021–22 NBA season transactions

Trades

July 30, 2021 To Charlotte Hornets
 To New York Knicks
  • Future first–round pick
 [3]

Free agents

Re-signed

Player Signed Ref.

Additions

Player Signed Former team Ref.
James Bouknight August 3, 2021 UConn Huskies [4]
D. J. Carton August 7, 2021 Marquette Golden Eagles [5]
Wes Iwundu August 7, 2021 New Orleans Pelicans [6]
Kai Jones August 3, 2021 Texas Longhorns [7]
Arnoldas Kulboka (TW) August 3, 2021 Bilbao Basket [8]
Scottie Lewis (TW) August 3, 2021 Florida Gators [9]
Kelly Oubre Jr. August 7, 2021 Golden State Warriors [10]
Mason Plumlee August 6, 2021 Detroit Pistons [11]
Ish Smith August 7, 2021 Washington Wizards [12]
JT Thor August 6, 2021 Auburn Tigers [13]

Subtractions

Player Reason left New team Ref.

Notes

  1. ^ Spectators were in attendance, but the exact number was not reported.

References

  1. ^ "Hornets fire Borrego as coach after 4 seasons". ESPN.com. April 22, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "Hornets Relieve James Borrego of Head Coaching Duties". NBA.com. April 22, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  3. ^ "Hornets acquire No. 19 pick in trade with Knicks". NBA.com. July 30, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  4. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Sign James Bouknight and Kai Jones". NBA.com. August 3, 2021.
  5. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Sign DJ Carton". NBA.com. August 7, 2021.
  6. ^ "Hornets Acquire Wes Iwundu and Protected 2022 First-Round Pick in Three-Team Sign-and-Trade". NBA.com. August 7, 2021.
  7. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Sign James Bouknight and Kai Jones". NBA.com. August 3, 2021.
  8. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Sign Arnoldas Kulboka and Scottie Lewis To Two-Way Contracts". NBA.com. August 3, 2021.
  9. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Sign Arnoldas Kulboka and Scottie Lewis To Two-Way Contracts". NBA.com. August 3, 2021.
  10. ^ "Hornets Sign Kelly Oubre Jr". NBA.com. August 7, 2021.
  11. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Acquire Mason Plumlee and the Draft Rights to JT Thor". NBA.com. August 6, 2021.
  12. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Sign Ish Smith". NBA.com. August 7, 2021.
  13. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Sign Second-Round Selection JT Thor". NBA.com. August 6, 2021.