Swarm and Sting
Fansided

Ranking the top three playoff teams in Charlotte Hornets history

By Elijah Edwards

CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 25: A general view of shirts on the seats for fans before the Miami Heat versus Charlotte Hornets game four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 25, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 25: A general view of shirts on the seats for fans before the Miami Heat versus Charlotte Hornets game four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 25, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Charlotte Hornets, Alonzo Mourning
Charlotte Hornets Alonzo Mourning. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Entering the 1992-1993 season, the Charlotte Hornets were starting to become a household name. They would prove they belonged in the league by earning their first-ever series victory in the playoffs.

In a time dominated by grunge and wacky colors, the early ’90s saw the NBA grow to substantial heights, mostly at the hands of the aforementioned Michael Jordan. In Charlotte, though, the Hornets were causing quite the buzz at the time, with names like Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning leading the way.

It would all come to a head in the ’92-’93 season, though, as the team would finally earn their first playoff appearance. They would win 44 games, a 13 game improvement from the previous year, tied for the second-biggest jump in team history. They would be seeded 5th in the East.

This earned them a chance to take on the still formidable 4th-seed Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Celtics despite being the higher seed, were playing without Hall of Fame forward, Larry Bird, as he had retired during the offseason.

When the postseason began, however, many assumed that the Charlotte Hornets would still be an easy out as their youth and inexperience would be their downfall.

The Hornets’ first-ever playoff appearance was certainly a fun one.

They proved all the naysayers wrong, however, defeating the aging Celtics 3-1 in the opening round. Boston proved to be able to keep up with the Hornets initially, winning the first game 112-101. Charlotte would not be denied, though, as they were victorious in the next three, with the third game ending in exciting fashion, as Alonzo Mourning buried a deep 20-footer at the end to send the Celtics packing.

Mourning averaged a double-double in the series, scoring 24 points and bringing in 10 boards. L.J. added in 22 and 9 per game, as well. Muggsy Bogues passed the ball well, dishing out an impressive 9.8 assists per game.

More. Sports Illustrated predicts Charlotte Hornets to draft Onyeka Okongwu. light

For their troubles, the Hornets moved on to face the imposing New York Knicks, led by Patrick Ewing. The Knicks would win the series in five games, but it was much closer than that, with the average margin of victory being just four points.

Charlotte’s lone victory was a 110-106 win at home, but they were just a single shot away from making the series more competitive losing their second home game by just two points. This would become what would eventually be a somewhat heated rivalry, with the two teams exchanging players and every once in a while, heated blows over the years.

Our final team is one that came very close to making the franchise’s first-ever Conference Final.