Many fans have been eagerly waiting for the NBA to release the regular season schedule for the 2025-26 campaign. While it has yet to be announced, Shams Charania of ESPN did share the games that will be played on opening night and Christmas Day. To no one's surprise, the Charlotte Hornets won't be participating on either day.
Per sources, the Houston Rockets will visit the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, to kick off the regular season. The league apparently wants the smoke, as new Rocket Kevin Durant will be inside the arena when the Thunder hold their ring ceremony.
Later that night, the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers will face off. Some Hornets fans might tune in, not only to possibly jeer the Lakers, but also because fan favorite Seth Curry could take the floor in that contest if rumors of him joining Golden State this offseason prove true.
Meanwhile, Christmas Day will feature matchups between the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Thunder, Rockets and Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Warriors, and Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets.
Hornets reminded of a painful reality
Charlotte not being part of any of those slates may not be shocking. However, that doesn't make it hurt any less for those who have already been desensitized by the fact that the squad just is not enough of a big draw for the NBA to get it involved in two of the biggest game days of the regular season.
The Hornets have been a fixture at the bottom of the standings and aren't part of any riveting rivalry. So, the league office likely does not feel any incentive to have them play in the season opener or on Christmas Day. Maybe that will change soon, as they have assembled perhaps their most promising roster in a long while. They still need reinforcement across various positions, but the future has never been brighter for the perpetually struggling franchise.
Another reason to be optimistic that Charlotte will finally get some respect when the NBA puts the regular season schedule together is the presence of LaMelo Ball.
The star point guard is already one of the better players in the league, and his status can further improve once he proves winning is in his genes after all. Moreover, he is quite popular among the younger viewers because of his marketable personality and penchant for pulling off highlight-reel plays.
So, even though the Hornets taking a day off on opening night and Christmas Day is a stark reminder of their current reputation in the Association, there is hope that they can change their fortunes pretty soon.