Swarm and Sting
Fansided

5 games Hornets should circle after schedule release

By Evan Birchmore

Charlotte Hornets Teal Towel. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets Teal Towel. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 08: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots a free throw during a NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets at Smoothie King Center on January 08, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 08: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots a free throw during a NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets at Smoothie King Center on January 08, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

10/21 – Charlotte Hornets vs. New Orleans Pelicans

The first marquee matchup of the season comes in Charlotte’s home opener when they square off against the New Orleans Pelicans. Matchups between these two teams will always have a certain level of intrigue due to the shared history between the two franchises; the current Pelicans originally began play in Charlotte as the original Hornets franchise, although the history and records from their time in Charlotte are officially owned by the current Hornets franchise. In technicality, the Pelicans are considered an expansion franchise that began play in 2002, while the Hornets are considered to have suspended play from 2002 until 2004.

The Pelicans currently have three members of the roster who formerly played for Charlotte in Garrett Temple (2011), Willy Hernangómez (2018-2020), and Devonte’ Graham (2018-2021).

Five members of the Pelicans were born in the state of North Carolina, as the quintet of Devonte’ Graham, Trey Murphy III, Gary Clark, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson all hail from the Old North State.

Speaking of Williamson, the former first overall selection has yet to play a professional game in the Queen City. Charlotte is one of just three NBA cities that Williamson has not played in, as he also has yet to appear in either Philadelphia or Toronto. Charlotte represents the closest NBA city to Williamson’s birthplace (Salisbury, North Carolina), high school city (Spartanburg, South Carolina), and college city (Durham, North Carolina). Now recovered from a foot injury that caused him to miss the entirety of last season, Williamson’s presence figures to add an extra layer of intrigue to this matchup.

Home/Hornets News