Fans react to Charlotte Hornets’ schedule release on Twitter

The NBA released the second half of the 2020-21 NBA schedule on Wednesday and Charlotte Hornets‘ fans generally had two reactions: excitement for the additional exposure on national television, and wondering if and when fans will be allowed to attend games at the Spectrum Center.

The Hornets are a surprising team so far during this first half of the season. Entering Friday’s game on the road against the Golden State Warriors, the Hornets have a record of 15 wins and 16 losses, and currently hold the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference standings, a half-game ahead of the Boston Celtics.

The Charlotte Hornets will be featured on national television 5 times during the second half of the season.

The Hornets are not featured on national television often. It doesn’t help that Charlotte has only advanced to the playoffs three times in the previous 16 seasons since the team reentered the league prior to the 2004-05 season. The intrigue and the excitement garnered by the Hornets’ selection of rookie LaMelo Ball lead to the team receiving 5 national television games during the first half of the regular season, including a primetime matchup on ESPN against the New Orleans Pelicans and brother Lonzo Ball on February 8.

Ball has played tremendously so far and with the Hornets and Ball exceeding expectations, national interest in the Hornets has grown.

During the second half of the season, the Hornets will play an additional 5 games on national television, including one game apiece on TNT and ESPN.

The Hornets will play the Brooklyn Nets on April 1 on TNT. In the Hornets’ third game of the season, Charlotte notched their first win of the season at home against the Brooklyn Nets 106-104 with both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the lineup. The April Fool’s Day matchup between the Hornets and the Nets will be the first time the Hornets face James Harden in a Brooklyn uniform.

The Hornets will host a Sunday matinee on ESPN against the Boston Celtics on April 25. This game will feature the return of Kemba Walker to Charlotte and Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier playing against their former team.

Fans may soon have the opportunity to attend Charlotte Hornets’ home games.

Hornets’ fans have been clamoring for the opportunity to see the team perform in-person this season. The Hornets last played a game at home in front of fans on March 7, 2020, against the Houston Rockets.

This week, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced various loosenings of COVID-19 restrictions for large-capacity arenas and stadiums that open the door for the Hornets to host fans at the Spectrum Center. Cooper announced that large arenas could admit up to 15% capacity which means the Hornets could host approximately 3,000 fans.

The most common response to the Hornets’ statement responding Cooper’s announcement: Where and when can I buy tickets?