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.

2020–21 Charlotte Hornets season
Head coach	James Borrego
General manager	Mitch Kupchak
Owner(s)	Michael Jordan
Arena	Spectrum Center
Results
Record	33–39 (.458)
Place	Division: 4th (Southeast) Conference: 10th (Eastern)
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television	Bally Sports South, Bally Sports Southeast
Radio	WFNZ
< 2019–20 2021–22 >

Following the 2019–20 NBA season, the Hornets qualified as a lottery team, receiving the 3rd overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft lottery.^[1]

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.^[2] In a draft-night trade, the Hornets also acquired Nick Richards from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick.^[3]

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.^[4] 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.^[5]

The Hornets' season ended following a 144–117 loss to the Indiana Pacers in the NBA play-in tournament.^[6]

NBA draft

Main article: 2020 NBA draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	School/club team
1	3	LaMelo Ball	PG	United States	Illawarra Hawks
2	32	Vernon Carey Jr.	C	United States	Duke
2	56	Grant Riller	PG	United States	College of Charleston

Roster

2020–21 Charlotte Hornets roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From G 2 LaMelo Ball 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-08-22 SPIRE Academy (OH) C 8 Bismack Biyombo 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1992-08-28 Republic of the Congo F 0 Miles Bridges 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1998-03-21 Michigan State C 22 Vernon Carey 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 270 lb (122 kg) 2001-02-25 Duke G 30 Nate Darling (TW) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1998-08-30 Delaware G 4 Devonte' Graham 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1995-02-22 Kansas F 20 Gordon Hayward  6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1990-03-23 Butler G/F 10 Caleb Martin 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1995-09-28 Nevada G/F 11 Cody Martin 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1995-09-28 Nevada F 6 Jalen McDaniels 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1998-01-31 San Diego State G 1 Malik Monk 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1998-02-04 Kentucky C 14 Nick Richards 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1997-11-29 Kentucky G 7 Grant Riller (TW) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1997-02-08 College of Charleston G 3 Terry Rozier 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1994-03-17 Louisville G 9 Brad Wanamaker 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1989-07-25 Pittsburgh F 25 P. J. Washington 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1998-08-23 Kentucky F/C 40 Cody Zeller 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1992-10-05 Indiana

Head coach James Borrego Assistant(s) Nick Friedman Dutch Gaitley Jay Hernandez Chad Iske Nate Mitchell Ronald Nored Jay Triano Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate (TW) Two-way affiliate player Injured Roster Updated: March 25, 2021

Standings

Division

Southeast Division	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div	GP
y – Atlanta Hawks	41	31	.569	–	25‍–‍11	16‍–‍20	9–3	72
x – Miami Heat	40	32	.556	1.0	21‍–‍15	19‍–‍17	6–6	72
x – Washington Wizards	34	38	.472	7.0	19‍–‍17	15‍–‍21	3–9	72
pi – Charlotte Hornets	33	39	.458	8.0	18‍–‍19	15‍–‍20	8–4	72
Orlando Magic	21	51	.292	20.0	11‍–‍25	10‍–‍26	4–8	72

Conference

Eastern Conference
#	Team	W	L	PCT	GB	GP
1	c − Philadelphia 76ers *	49	23	.681	–	72
2	x – Brooklyn Nets	48	24	.667	1.0	72
3	y – Milwaukee Bucks *	46	26	.639	3.0	72
4	x – New York Knicks	41	31	.569	8.0	72
5	y – Atlanta Hawks *	41	31	.569	8.0	72
6	x – Miami Heat	40	32	.556	9.0	72
7	x – Boston Celtics	36	36	.500	13.0	72
8	x – Washington Wizards	34	38	.472	15.0	72
9	pi – Indiana Pacers	34	38	.472	15.0	72
10	pi – Charlotte Hornets	33	39	.458	16.0	72
11	Chicago Bulls	31	41	.431	18.0	72
12	Toronto Raptors	27	45	.375	22.0	72
13	Cleveland Cavaliers	22	50	.306	27.0	72
14	Orlando Magic	21	51	.292	28.0	72
15	Detroit Pistons	20	52	.278	29.0	72

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

2020 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 December 12 Toronto L 100–111 Miles Bridges (12) LaMelo Ball (10) LaMelo Ball (4) Spectrum Center 0–1 2 December 14 Toronto L 109–112 McDaniels, Rozier (15) Bridges, Washington (6) Graham, Hayward (6) Spectrum Center 0–2 3 December 17 @ Orlando W 123–115 Terry Rozier (20) Terry Rozier (7) Devonte' Graham (6) Amway Center 1–2 4 December 19 @ Orlando L 117–120 Devonte' Graham (25) Miles Bridges (15) Terry Rozier (6) Amway Center 1–3
2020–21 season schedule

Regular season

2020–21 game log Total: 33–39; Home: 18–18; Road: 15–21
December: 2–2 (home: 1–1; road: 1–1) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 December 23 @ Cleveland L 114–121 Terry Rozier (42) Miles Bridges (6) Devonte' Graham (10) Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse 300 0–1 2 December 26 Oklahoma City L 107–109 Terry Rozier (19) Bismack Biyombo (9) Devonte' Graham (10) Spectrum Center 0 0–2 3 December 27 Brooklyn W 106–104 Gordon Hayward (28) P. J. Washington (12) Gordon Hayward (7) Spectrum Center 0 1–2 4 December 30 @ Dallas W 118–99 LaMelo Ball (22) Miles Bridges (16) Ball, Graham (5) American Airlines Center 0 2–2
January : 7–9 (home: 4–4; road: 3–5) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 5 January 1 Memphis L 93–108 Bismack Biyombo (16) LaMelo Ball (6) Bismack Biyombo (12) Spectrum Center 0 2–3 6 January 2 @ Philadelphia L 112–127 Terry Rozier (35) Devonte' Graham (9) Bismack Biyombo (9) Wells Fargo Center 0 2–4 7 January 4 @ Philadelphia L 101–118 Gordon Hayward (18) Hayward, Washington (8) LaMelo Ball (9) Wells Fargo Center 0 2–5 8 January 6 @ Atlanta W 102–94 Gordon Hayward (44) P. J. Washington (10) Devonte' Graham (7) State Farm Arena 0 3–5 9 January 8 @ New Orleans W 118–110 Gordon Hayward (26) LaMelo Ball (10) LaMelo Ball (9) Smoothie King Center 759 4–5 10 January 9 Atlanta W 113–105 Terry Rozier (23) LaMelo Ball (12) Lamelo Ball (11) Spectrum Center 0 5–5 11 January 11 New York W 109–88 Gordon Hayward (34) LaMelo Ball (14) Ball, Graham (7) Spectrum Center 0 6–5 12 January 13 Dallas L 93–104 Terry Rozier (18) P. J. Washington (10) Devonte' Graham (7) Spectrum Center 0 6–6 13 January 14 @ Toronto L 108–111 Terry Rozier (22) P. J. Washington (11) LaMelo Ball (7) Amalie Arena 0 6–7 14 January 16 @ Toronto L 113–116 Gordon Hayward (25) P. J. Washington (12) Devonte' Graham (7) Amalie Arena 0 6–8 – January 20 Washington Postponed (COVID-19)[7] (Makeup date: February 7)[8] 15 January 22 Chicago L 110–123 Gordon Hayward (34) Bismack Biyombo (10) Devonte' Graham (6) Spectrum Center 0 6–9 16 January 24 @ Orlando W 107–104 Gordon Hayward (39) Gordon Hayward (9) LaMelo Ball (8) Amway Center 0 7–9 17 January 25 @ Orlando L 108–117 Hayward, Rozier (24) Biyombo, Zeller (7) Ball, Hayward, Washington (4) Amway Center 3,167 7–10 18 January 27 Indiana L 106–116 Terry Rozier (20) Cody Zeller (14) Ball, Graham (5) Spectrum Center 0 7–11 19 January 29 Indiana W 108–105 Rozier, Washington (19) P. J. Washington (9) Devonte' Graham (10) Spectrum Center 0 8–11 20 January 30 Milwaukee W 126–114 Ball, Hayward (27) Cody Zeller (15) LaMelo Ball (9) Spectrum Center 0 9–11
February: 7–6 (home: 4–3; road: 3–3) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 21 February 1 @ Miami W 129–121 Malik Monk (36) Cody Zeller (12) LaMelo Ball (7) American Airlines Arena 0 10–11 22 February 3 Philadelphia L 111–118 Ball, Hayward (22) Bridges, Zeller (8) Gordon Hayward (9) Spectrum Center 0 10–12 23 February 5 Utah L 121–138 LaMelo Ball (34) Gordon Hayward (10) LaMelo Ball (8) Spectrum Center 0 10–13 24 February 7 Washington W 119–97 Terry Rozier (26) Miles Bridges (14) LaMelo Ball (5) Spectrum Center 0 11–13 25 February 8 Houston W 119–94 LaMelo Ball (24) Miles Bridges (10) LaMelo Ball (10) Spectrum Center 0 12–13 26 February 10 @ Memphis L 114–130 Terry Rozier (34) Miles Bridges (10) LaMelo Ball (5) FedEx Forum 1,830 12–14 27 February 12 Minnesota W 120–114 Terry Rozier (41) LaMelo Ball (11) Gordon Hayward (5) Spectrum Center 0 13–14 28 February 14 San Antonio L 110–122 Terry Rozier (33) Ball, Zeller (12) LaMelo Ball (8) Spectrum Center 0 13–15 – February 17 Chicago Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: May 6)[9] – February 19 Denver Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: May 11)[9] 29 February 20 Golden State W 102–100 Terry Rozier (36) Hayward, McDaniels (7) LaMelo Ball (7) Spectrum Center 0 14–15 30 February 22 @ Utah L 111–132 Ball, Hayward (21) Ball, Zeller (7) Ball, Washington (4) Vivint Smart Home Arena 3,902 14–16 31 February 24 @ Phoenix W 124–121 Malik Monk (29) Bismack Biyombo (11) LaMelo Ball (8) Phoenix Suns Arena 3,296 15–16 32 February 26 @ Golden State L 121–130 Malik Monk (25) P. J. Washington (10) LaMelo Ball (6) Chase Center 0 15–17 33 February 28 @ Sacramento W 127–126 P. J. Washington (42) Bridges, Washington (9) LaMelo Ball (12) Golden 1 Center 0 16–17
March: 8–5 (home: 4–1; road: 4–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 34 March 1 @ Portland L 111–123 LaMelo Ball (30) Cody Martin (9) LaMelo Ball (8) Moda Center 0 16–18 35 March 3 @ Minnesota W 135–102 Terry Rozier (31) Miles Bridges (10) Gordon Hayward (9) Target Center 0 17–18 36 March 11 Detroit W 105–102 P. J. Washington (20) P. J. Washington (9) LaMelo Ball (9) Spectrum Center 0 18–18 37 March 13 Toronto W 114–104 LaMelo Ball (23) LaMelo Ball (9) LaMelo Ball (6) Spectrum Center 2,861 19–18 38 March 15 Sacramento W 122–116 Terry Rozier (26) Bismack Biyombo (10) Cody Zeller (6) Spectrum Center 2,861 20–18 39 March 17 @ Denver L 104–129 Terry Rozier (21) P. J. Washington (6) Gordon Hayward (6) Ball Arena 0 20–19 40 March 18 @ L. A. Lakers L 105–116 LaMelo Ball (26) Bridges, Hayward (9) Gordon Hayward (10) Staples Center 0 20–20 41 March 20 @ L. A. Clippers L 98–125 Miles Bridges (21) Gordon Hayward (8) Terry Rozier (5) Staples Center 0 20–21 42 March 22 @ San Antonio W 100–97 Gordon Hayward (27) P. J. Washington (13) Hayward, Rozier (6) AT&T Center 3,222 21–21 43 March 24 @ Houston W 122–97 Terry Rozier (25) P. J. Washington (12) Monk, Rozier, Washington (4) Toyota Center 3,163 22–21 44 March 26 Miami W 110–105 Malik Monk (32) Gordon Hayward (9) Terry Rozier (11) Spectrum Center 4,215 23–21 45 March 28 Phoenix L 97–101 Devonte' Graham (30) Bridges, Washington (12) Cody Martin (4) Spectrum Center 3,850 23–22 46 March 30 @ Washington W 114–104 Terry Rozier (27) Cody Zeller (13) Graham, Hayward (6) Capital One Arena 0 24–22
April: 6–9 (home: 3–4; road: 3–5) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 47 April 1 @ Brooklyn L 89–111 Graham, Hayward (13) P. J. Washington (8) Malik Monk (4) Barclays Center 1,773 24–23 48 April 2 @ Indiana W 114–97 Miles Bridges (23) Miles Bridges (10) Graham, Hayward (6) Bankers Life Fieldhouse 0 25–23 49 April 4 @ Boston L 86–116 Terry Rozier (22) Rozier, Zeller (7) Devonte' Graham (6) TD Garden 0 25–24 50 April 7 @ Oklahoma City W 113–102 Jalen McDaniels (21) Cody Zeller (14) Brad Wanamaker (6) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 26–24 51 April 9 @ Milwaukee W 127–119 Miles Bridges (26) Cody Zeller (12) Brad Wanamaker (7) Fiserv Forum 3,280 27–24 52 April 11 Atlanta L 101–105 Miles Bridges (23) Cody Zeller (9) Devonte' Graham (7) Spectrum Center 4,148 27–25 53 April 13 L. A. Lakers L 93–101 Devonte' Graham (19) Bismack Biyombo (12) Devonte' Graham (6) Spectrum Center 3,676 27–26 54 April 14 Cleveland L 90–103 Terry Rozier (22) Bridges, Rozier, Cody Zeller (7) Terry Rozier (8) Spectrum Center 2,955 27–27 55 April 16 @ Brooklyn L 115–130 Terry Rozier (27) Miles Bridges (9) Terry Rozier (10) Barclays Center 1,773 27–28 56 April 18 Portland W 109–101 Terry Rozier (34) Rozier, Washington (8) Terry Rozier (10) Spectrum Center 3,880 28–28 57 April 20 @ New York L 97–109 P. J. Washington (26) Miles Bridges (14) Terry Rozier (8) Madison Square Garden 1,753 28–29 58 April 22 @ Chicago L 91–108 Devonte' Graham (16) Cody Zeller (6) Terry Rozier (8) United Center 0 28–30 59 April 23 Cleveland W 108–102 Bridges, Rozier, Washington (25) Bismack Biyombo (11) Devonte' Graham (10) Spectrum Center 4,060 29–30 60 April 25 Boston W 125–104 Devonte' Graham (24) P. J. Washington (12) Terry Rozier (11) Spectrum Center 4,493 30–30 61 April 27 Milwaukee L 104–114 Devonte' Graham (25) Miles Bridges (10) Bridges, Graham, Wanamaker (6) Spectrum Center 3,240 30–31 62 April 28 @ Boston L 111–120 Devonte' Graham (25) Cody Martin (9) Graham, Rozier (7) TD Garden 2,298 30–32
May: 3–7 (home: 2–5; road: 1–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 63 May 1 Detroit W 107–94 Terry Rozier (29) Biyombo, McDaniels (9) LaMelo Ball (8) Spectrum Center 3,776 31–32 64 May 2 Miami L 111–121 P. J. Washington (21) Jalen McDaniels (9) Bridges, Ball, Graham, Monk (5) Spectrum Center 4,095 31–33 65 May 4 @ Detroit W 102–99 LaMelo Ball (23) Jalen McDaniels (12) Ball, Rozier (6) Little Caesars Arena 750 32–33 66 May 6 Chicago L 99–120 P. J. Washington (24) Terry Rozier (8) LaMelo Ball (9) Spectrum Center 3,769 32–34 67 May 7 Orlando W 122–112 Terry Rozier (28) Bismack Biyombo (11) Ball, Rozier (6) Spectrum Center 3,751 33–34 68 May 9 New Orleans L 110–112 Terry Rozier (43) P. J. Washington (12) LaMelo Ball (5) Spectrum Center 4,196 33–35 69 May 11 Denver L 112–117 Devonte' Graham (31) LaMelo Ball (12) LaMelo Ball (7) Spectrum Center 3,997 33–36 70 May 13 L. A. Clippers L 90–113 LaMelo Ball (18) Bismack Biyombo (7) LaMelo Ball (7) Spectrum Center 4,442 33–37 71 May 15 @ New York L 109–118 (OT) Miles Bridges (30) Cody Zeller (11) Devonte' Graham (8) Madison Square Garden 1,981 33–38 72 May 16 @ Washington L 110–115 Terry Rozier (22) Rozier, Washington (9) Terry Rozier (9) Capital One Arena 5,333 33–39
2020–21 season schedule

Play-in

2021 play-in 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 May 18 @ Indiana L 117–144 Miles Bridges (23) Bridges, Rozier (8) Terry Rozier (6) Bankers Life Fieldhouse 0 0–1

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player	POS	GP	GS	MP	REB	AST	STL	BLK	PTS	MPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Terry Rozier	SG	69	69	2,383	302	293	87	26	1,407	34.5	4.4	4.2	1.3	.4	20.4
Bismack Biyombo	C	66	36	1,349	347	81	17	74	331	20.4	5.3	1.2	.3	1.1	5.0
Miles Bridges	PF	66	19	1,932	397	147	44	52	840	29.3	6.0	2.2	.7	.8	12.7
P. J. Washington	PF	64	61	1,954	418	161	69	79	824	30.5	6.5	2.5	1.1	1.2	12.9
Devonte' Graham	PG	55	44	1,659	148	295	48	6	816	30.2	2.7	5.4	.9	.1	14.8
Caleb Martin	SF	53	3	818	141	67	37	12	264	15.4	2.7	1.3	.7	.2	5.0
Cody Martin	SF	52	10	849	161	86	37	12	207	16.3	3.1	1.7	.7	.2	4.0
LaMelo Ball	PG	51	31	1,469	302	313	81	18	803	28.8	5.9	6.1	1.6	.4	15.7
Cody Zeller	C	48	21	1,005	328	86	27	17	451	20.9	6.8	1.8	.6	.4	9.4
Jalen McDaniels	SF	47	18	904	169	53	28	19	346	19.2	3.6	1.1	.6	.4	7.4
Gordon Hayward	SF	44	44	1,496	258	181	52	14	863	34.0	5.9	4.1	1.2	.3	19.6
Malik Monk	SG	42	0	878	101	87	19	4	490	20.9	2.4	2.1	.5	.1	11.7
Brad Wanamaker†	PG	22	0	428	39	75	17	5	151	19.5	1.8	3.4	.8	.2	6.9
Vernon Carey Jr.	C	19	4	115	27	2	1	5	46	6.1	1.4	.1	.1	.3	2.4
Nick Richards	PF	18	0	63	11	2	0	0	15	3.5	.6	.1	.0	.0	.8
Grant Riller	PG	7	0	27	1	3	1	0	18	3.9	.1	.4	.1	.0	2.6
Nate Darling	SG	7	0	26	1	1	0	1	9	3.7	.1	.1	.0	.1	1.3

• ^† Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Hornets only.

Transactions

Main article: List of 2020–21 NBA season transactions

Trades

November 19, 2020[10]	To Charlotte Hornets Nick Richards	To New Orleans Pelicans 2024 second-round pick
November 29, 2020[11]	To Charlotte Hornets Gordon Hayward 2023 second-round pick 2024 second-round pick	To Boston Celtics 2022 second-round pick
March 25, 2021[12]	To Charlotte Hornets Brad Wanamaker 2022 second-round pick Cash considerations	To Golden State Warriors 2025 second-round pick

Free agents

Re-signed

Player	Signed
Bismack Biyombo[13]	November 30, 2020

Additions

Player	Signed	Former team
LaMelo Ball[14]	November 30, 2020	Illawarra Hawks
Vernon Carey Jr.[15]	November 30, 2020	Duke Blue Devils
Nate Darling[16] (TW)	November 30, 2020	Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens
Nick Richards[17]	November 30, 2020	Kentucky Wildcats
Grant Riller[16] (TW)	November 30, 2020	College of Charleston Cougars

Subtractions

Player	Reason left	New team
Dwayne Bacon[18]	UFA	Orlando Magic
Nicolas Batum[19]	Waived	Los Angeles Clippers
Willy Hernangomez[20]	UFA	New Orleans Pelicans
Ray Spalding[21][22]	Waived	Houston Rockets