The Charlotte Hornets entered December with a 6-14 record and likely hopeful that fortune would favor them in the final month of the calendar year. Evidently, that has not been the case, as the Hornets have a single win to their name this month.
Unfortunately, the team has just one more chance to double its victory count this month. It will face the Chicago Bulls on Monday before the year comes to a close.
Obviously, the Hornets want the dub to at least end 2024 on a positive note. In addition, they badly need the win, as their struggles appear to have had a negative impact on at least one of their key players already.
Hornets are set to finish another gloomy December
On the other hand, a loss will mean that Charlotte is no better than how it was in 2023 when it stumbled to a 1-12 standing in December. That might be a tad alarming because the team is supposed to have a more promising collection of talent this season.
More importantly, another defeat will not only push down its record to 1-11 in December but also to a disheartening 1-16 in its previous 17 contests. The lone win came against the Indiana Pacers in a matchup that saw the Hornets eke out a nail-biting victory, thanks in part to clutch free throws from Brandon Miller. Had they failed to escape with that win, they would probably be holding the longest losing streak of the 2024-25 campaign, eclipsing the Washington Wizards' 16 straight losses.
Hopefully, Charlotte can log another win when it hosts the Bulls, although the odds may be stacked against it for now.
The squads have already faced off once this season, and it happened right after the Hornets defeated Indiana. Chicago took the W, holding them to below 100 points for the first time in seven games and to a 35.7 percent shooting from the field. That contest also proved why Charlotte might want to consider pursuing a suggested trade target that didn't make sense before.
It's worth noting that LaMelo Ball missed that meeting, limiting the Hornets' offensive firepower. Unfortunately, it appears the young star might sit out the Monday bout, as he is listed as doubtful to suit up because of his ailing left ankle and right wrist. To make it worse, Miller has been given the same status, which could leave Charlotte with no choice but to rely on Vasilije Micic and Miles Bridges to carry the offensive load.
So, barring a miracle, the Hive will end up with another one-win December.