2004 Playoffs Hornets vs Sixers
The Buzz of Charlotte
The Charlotte Hornets are an American professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Hornets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games at the Spectrum Center.
Quick Facts
- Season
- 2001-2002
- Series result
- Boston won 3–1
- Notable player (hornets)
- Baron Davis
- Notable player (celtics)
- Paul Pierce
- Round
- Eastern Conference First Round
- Home arena
- Charlotte Coliseum
Lore & Background
The Charlotte Hornets franchise was established in 1988 as an expansion team owned by George Shinn. In 2002, Shinn moved the franchise to New Orleans, where they began play as the New Orleans Hornets, later rebranding as the Pelicans in 2013. The team would return as an expansion team, known as the Charlotte Bobcats, in the 2004–05 NBA season. On June 15, 2006, Michael Jordan acquired a minority stake in the franchise and became its managing member of basketball operations. On February 17, 2010, an ownership group led by Jordan purchased a majority share of the franchise. In 2013, following the rebranding of the New Orleans Hornets to the Pelicans, the Bobcats announced they would begin playing as the Charlotte Hornets in the 2014–15 season, along with reclaiming the history and official records of the original Charlotte Hornets. In August 2023, Jordan sold his majority stake in the Hornets to a group of investors led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall. He retained a minority share in the ownership of the team. As of 2026, the Hornets are the only NBA franchise to have never won a division title, and one of two franchises alongside the New Orleans Pelicans to have never advanced to the conference finals.
Reader's Guide
The article mentions that the Hornets' first playoff berth was in their fifth season (1992–93), where they upset the Boston Celtics in the first round and then fell to the New York Knicks in the second round. It also notes that in the 1994–95 season, the Hornets were bounced from the playoffs in the first round, falling to the Chicago Bulls in four games. No details about a 2004 playoffs series against the Sixers are given.
Did You Know?
- The Hornets' name originates from British General Cornwallis, who allegedly described Charlotte as 'a hornet's nest of rebellion' following the Battle of Charlotte in 1780.
- The team's uniforms, designed by Alexander Julian, featured pin stripes, a first for NBA uniforms.
- The Hornets led the NBA in attendance in their inaugural season, a feat they would achieve seven more times in Charlotte.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Charlotte Hornets play the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2004 playoffs?
No, this matchup never occurred because the franchise relocated to New Orleans after the 2001-2002 season. There was no Charlotte-based team competing during the 2003-2004 postseason.
When did the original Hornets last compete in the playoffs?
The final playoff series for the Charlotte franchise took place in 2002 against the Boston Celtics. This Eastern Conference First Round matchup marked the end of their tenure at the Charlotte Coliseum.
Who were the key players during that final Charlotte playoff run?
Baron Davis was a notable leader for the Hornets, while Paul Pierce starred for the opposing Celtics squad. Their on-court battle defined the franchise's last moments in the city.
What was the outcome of the 2002 series against Boston?
The Celtics defeated the Hornets in a heartbreaking four-game sweep, winning the series 4–0. This loss extinguished their hopes before the team moved to New Orleans.
Why do some fans mistakenly remember a 2004 matchup with Philadelphia?
Confusion often arises from conflating different eras or teams, as no such series exists in NBA history for that specific timeframe. The franchise identity changed entirely before the 2004 season began.
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