On Wednesday, the Charlotte Hornets fell to the Atlanta Hawks in the Play-In tournament, 132-103, ending their postseason hopes and their season.
Simply put, one team looked like they made the Eastern Conference Finals last season and the other looked as if they hadn’t made the playoffs before as a group — both are true.
From the opening tip, the Hawks just seemed to have more poise on both ends of the floor, despite a slow start. The Hornets missed shot after shot and quickly found themselves in foul trouble in by the end of the first quarter.
The Hawks led by 8 at halftime but in the second half, the floodgates opened as Charlotte was outscored 72-51 in the final two quarters.
“Two years ago, we won 23 games. Last year, we won 33 and this year we won 43. The goal is to not be in this position next year,” James Borrego said after the loss. “I’m proud of how we dug in all year. Now, the goal is to use this summer to get better. Unfortunately, this game didn’t go our way, but we’ll use it as a way to get better.”
Despite a game-high 26 points, LaMelo Ball shot poorly, hitting only 7-of-25 shots from the field and 4-of-14 from downtown. Ball played the majority of the game in foul trouble and continued to press and force shots when they weren’t there.
Miles Bridges, who was ejected midway through the fourth quarter after receiving his second technical foul, finished with just 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.
“I feel like we improved so much this year, and for the same thing to happen again is definitely frustrating because I didn’t see myself anywhere else tomorrow expect another Play-In game and then in the playoffs. But that’s not the case,” Bridges said.
Terry Rozier also struggled with his shot in the loss, hitting just 8-of-22 from the field.
The Hornets will have a number of decisions to make this offseason regarding the extension of Bridges, the future of Gordon Hayward, and the hot seat of James Borrego.
Stay tuned to Lonzo Wire for updates on the Hornets as they head into the offseason.
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