Hornets vs Magic Rivalry Game

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 to a group of investors led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, retaining a minority share. 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 Hornets' first NBA game took place on November 4, 1988 at the Charlotte Coliseum, where they lost 133–93 to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Four days later, the team notched its first-ever victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, 117–105. On December 23, 1988, the Hornets beat Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls 103–101. The Hornets finished their inaugural season with a record of 20–62. Despite initial concerns that the Coliseum was too big, the Hornets were a runaway hit, leading the NBA in attendance, a feat they would achieve seven more times in Charlotte. Eventually, the Hornets would sell out 364 consecutive games. The team's second season finished with a 19–63 record. The following season, they finished with a 26–56 record. With the first pick in the 1991 NBA draft, the Hornets drafted Larry Johnson, who won the 1992 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. The team finished the 1992–93 season at 44–38, their first winning record and first playoff berth. They upset the Boston Celtics in the first round but fell to the New York Knicks in the second round. The Hornets finished the 1993–94 season with a 41–41 record. In the 1994–95 season, they finished with a 50–32 record but were bounced in the first round by the Chicago Bulls. Following the season, the Hornets traded Alonzo Mourning to the Miami Heat for Glen Rice, Matt Geiger, and Khalid Reeves. The 1995–96 season ended with a 41–41 record. The 1996–97 team achieved the best season in its history at the time, finishing 54–28, but lost to the Knicks in the first round. The 1997–98 season was also successful.

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 multiple times, including their second season (1989–90), and sold out 364 consecutive games.