The Charlotte Hornets’ Must-Watch Games of the 2020 Season
By River Rhodes
PJ Washington Bursts onto the Scene: Season Opener Against Chicago Bulls
Charlotte Hornets @ Chicago Bulls | October 23, 2019
126. 170. Final. 125. 24
The Charlotte Hornet‘s season began with a one-point 126-125 win over the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls entered the contest favored by 3.5 despite being the away team. Besides the win, the real reason this game is on the list is because of power forward P.J. Washington‘s stellar performance. The rookie put up a team-high 27 points.
Washington drained an astounding 7 3-pointers on efficient 7-for-11 shooting. Washington’s hot shooting set the all-time record for threes made in a player’s first professional game. This would also be Washington’s season-high in 3-point shots made.
Washington’s night had media speculating about his chances for Rookie of the Year, coming in second in the NBA’s first release of their Rookie Ladder. Only Kendrick Nunn, of the Miami Heat, was ranked above Washington.
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With the departure of point guard Kemba Walker, the Hornets entered the season at the bottom of the power rankings with no direction. An underdog win at home was much-needed.
This showing from the P.J. Washington, the team’s lottery pick, in his debut gave fans some much-needed hope for the season. Couple that with a close win and this game becomes one of the most significant in Charlotte’s season.