Can the Hornets Solve Their Crunchtime Issues Without LaMelo Ball?

Locked On Hornets - Daily Podcast On The Charlotte Hornets

In this episode of Locked On Hornets, Doug Branson and Walker Mehl break down the Hornets’ tough five-game homestand and examine the latest struggles and bright spots. The team is still navigating injuries, with key players like LaMelo Ball out and Mark Williams making his return. We analyze Mark’s fitness and timing issues post-injury, his limited minutes, and the impact on the Hornets’ frontcourt rotation. Are Nick Richards’ steady performances enough to compensate? Plus, what does Brandon Miller’s standout second half against Philadelphia signal about his growth as a player and leader?

Speaking of crunch time, the Hornets’ late-game woes are a focal point. From turnovers to questionable decisions, we explore what needs to change for the team to close out tight games. Is this stretch of close losses valuable experience or a troubling trend? The discussion also dives into the coaching staff’s decisions and whether Charles Lee is facing fair or excessive criticism.

We highlight the emergence of KJ Simpson, a second-round rookie making a surprising impact during a tough stretch. Is his grit and clutch performance a sign of untapped potential in the Hornets’ rotation? Listener questions take center stage in the Sicko Satchel, including whether repeated late-game failures are helping or hurting the team. Finally, we discuss whether the Hornets might regret passing on Donovan Clingan in the draft and reflect on the long-term vision behind selecting Tidjane Salaun.

Join us for all this and more as we tackle the Hornets’ present challenges and future prospects in a season defined by adversity.

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Get Doug's gamenotes, special articles and a podcast on Hornets history at the Every Hornets Boxscore substack: everyhornetsboxscore.com

Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM

Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

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