Swarm and Sting
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Hornets vs. Timberwolves Summer League Preview

By Evan Birchmore

Jul 14, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LJ Figueroa (30) defends against a Chicago Bulls inbounds pass during an NBA Summer League game at Cox Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 14, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LJ Figueroa (30) defends against a Chicago Bulls inbounds pass during an NBA Summer League game at Cox Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Charlotte Hornets will wrap up their Summer League slate this afternoon as they square off against the Minnesota Timberwolves for their fifth and final game. With the Hornets sitting at 2-2 and the Timberwolves at 1-3, this matchup will provide the opportunity to end their time in Las Vegas on a high note. If the Hornets win, it would mean their first winning record in Summer League since 2018. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, will be looking to right the ship after losing their previous three games by increasing margins, culminating in a 19-point loss on Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets.

WHO: Charlotte Hornets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

WHEN: 5:00 p.m. EST

WHERE: Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas, Nevada

WATCH: NBA TV

One of the more intriguing storylines in this game is the matchup between Charlotte’s Bryce McGowens and Minnesota’s Josh Minnot. McGowens and Minott will forever be linked together by the draft night trade that sent them to their respective teams, as the Hornets acquired McGowens’ draft rights from the Timberwolves in exchange for Minott’s draft rights and a 2023 second-round round draft pick via the New York Knicks. Both players have been stellar so far, as McGowens is leading Charlotte in scoring while Minott is the second-leading scorer and the leading rebounder for Minnesota.

Former Duke Blue Devils forward Wendell Moore represents Minnesota’s highest-drafted player this year. The Timberwolves sent 19th overall pick Jake LaRavia to the Memphis Grizzlies and traded 22nd overall pick Walker Kessler to the Utah Jazz as part of their trade for Rudy Gobert. Moore has been the most well-rounded of Minnesota’s Summer League players, ranking third in points, rebounds, and assists while pacing the team in minutes. An alumnus of Cox Mill High School in nearby Concord, North Carolina, Moore will now end his Summer League debut by squaring off against his hometown team in the Hornets.

The Hornets will look to get a win over a newfound rival

The draft-night trade between Charlotte and Minnesota may have had a hand in determining this matchup; the NBA previously announced that the consolation games would be scheduled based on several factors including existing team rivalries, broadcast interest and the avoidance of back-to-back games. Another potential factor is the blossoming rivalry between the Hornets and Timberwolves respective fanbases, largely centered around third-year stars LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards. Both drafted in the top three of the 2020 NBA draft, Timberwolves fans felt that Edwards deserved the 2021 Rookie of the Year Award that was given to Ball. While Ball and Edwards obviously will not be participating in this matchup, fans of both teams may still be eager to get a victory in this burgeoning rivalry.

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