The Hornets’ stunning 53-point loss to the Trail Blazers highlights a major concern for the team.
Saturday night’s game was a disaster for Charlotte in every possible way. If you went to bed early, you missed one of the worst performances by the Hornets in recent memory. On the road against the Portland Trail Blazers, both teams have struggled this season, with a combined 38 wins between them. Portland, while better, looked like an elite team in comparison to the Hornets’ dismal performance.
A 53-point loss is rare, and although the largest loss this season was by 62 points, it was to the top team in the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder. In contrast, Portland handed the Hornets an embarrassing defeat without mercy. It was a poor showing from Charlotte.
The Hornets have had their share of excuses for bad losses this season, mostly due to injuries that have hindered their performance. But that wasn’t the case on Saturday. Four of the five starters were healthy, with only Brandon Miller—who has been out since before the break—missing from the lineup.
A team with healthy players like LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and Mark Williams should not be losing by 53 points to another struggling team. The fact that they did is extremely troubling. Portland’s 62-point loss earlier this season came at the hands of the best team in the league, which makes Saturday’s defeat even more alarming.
This game underscores the need for a significant roster overhaul. Ball had a rough night, shooting 1-10 from the field, and while that might point to why the Hornets struggle when he’s off, it also emphasizes the importance of keeping him around. However, this loss also makes it clear that fixing the team isn’t simple. While the Hornets will have Miller back next season, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the core trio of Williams, Ball, and Bridges isn’t enough to compete at a high level.
Williams had already been traded before the deal was rescinded, and he may be on his way out for good. Bridges, who is older and less effective than the others, could also be on the trade block this offseason. Miller is still in his early years, so he’s safe, but Ball’s future with the team is uncertain.
The bench has also been underwhelming, but that doesn’t matter as much when the starters aren’t performing well. If the Hornets don’t land a franchise-changing player like Cooper Flagg in the upcoming draft, they will face a tough challenge in trying to build a competitive team from a core that just got dominated by a team heading nowhere.
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