Locked On Hornets - Daily Podcast On The Charlotte Hornets

Walker Mehl goes solo to discuss the significance of Grant Williams' return after a long time out with a grueling knee injury. What kind of impact does Grant Williams bring to the table? Can we say the Hornets are actually healthy now? Finally, Walker goes over the PG movement and how LaMelo is clearly out of the Trae Young/Ja Morant neighborhood.

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LaMelo Ball started on the bench for the first time since 2021, sparking confusion and intrigue during the Hornets' matchup against the Indiana Pacers. We explore Charles Lee's decision to manage LaMelo's minutes for crunch time availability and how the star guard responded with a "pissed off" 33-point performance. Despite his heroics, Charlotte fell to Indiana in a game defined by chaotic execution and questionable officiating. We...

Another heartbreaker for the Charlotte Hornets. On this episode, we unpack the agonizing 97-96 loss to the Toronto Raptors, decided by an Immanuel Quickley buzzer-beater and a controversial Scottie Barnes screen. The biggest talking point, however, is the handling of LaMelo Ball. Despite a solid performance, Ball sat for the majority of the fourth quarter, only returning with under two minutes to play. We analyze Charles Lee's post...

The Charlotte Hornets just played their best game of the Charles Lee era, absolutely dismantling the Oklahoma City Thunder 124-97. We explore how Charlotte managed to dominate a top-tier opponent from tip-off to the final buzzer. It wasn't just a shooting barrage; the defensive intensity, led by Moussa Diabate, stifled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder attack. We examine Diabate’s eye-popping impact on the team's best lineups...

We recap a busy weekend for the Charlotte Hornets, who managed a split between the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls despite playing without a true center. With the frontcourt depleted, Miles Bridges and the "small ball" unit are holding the line, but help may be on the way. We discuss the "Bat Signal" tweet from Grant Williams and what his potential return against OKC means for the rotation.

Tidjane Salaun continues to show sustain...

Walker Mehl goes solo to recap the Hornets loss, but fun loss nonetheless against the Warriors on New Year’s Eve. Why was this Brandon Miller performance more impressive than other 30 point games we’ve see from him? What makes Kon Knueppel so special? Walker also gives a shoutout to PJ Hall and LaMelo Ball for having quiet, yet really nice showings before the new year. Finally, Walker has some fun with lineups and how all the best ...

On today's show, we ring in the New Year with a special "Buzz Level" prediction game for the Charlotte Hornets in 2026. We start with "Barely Buzzed" high-confidence takes, discussing why Brandon Miller signing a rookie max extension feels inevitable after his recent star performances. We also evaluate the chances of multiple Hornets rookies, including Kon Knueppel and Ryan Kalkbrenner, making All-Rookie teams.

Next, we move to "I'm...

On today's show, we recap a tough loss to the Milwaukee Bucks that saw Brandon Miller shine with 31 points while LaMelo Ball struggled with turnovers. The biggest story, however, was Miles Bridges leaving the game with an ankle injury. We provide the latest updates on his status and share some unexpectedly good news regarding Kon Knueppel's potential return to the lineup.

Later, we explore why the Charlotte Hornets' offense has look...

We are breathing a massive sigh of relief regarding Kon Knueppel's health status. Doug Branson is joined by Evan Hale of Hail Storm Sports to discuss why Kon Knueppel's ankle injury might not be the disaster we all feared, despite him missing the game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Then, we ask the simple question: Are the Charlotte Hornets actually a good basketball team?. With a recent win over the Orlando Magic and an offense ranki...

The Charlotte Hornets put up a fight but fell short in a defensive struggle against the Cleveland Cavaliers, losing 139-130. Host Doug Branson recaps a game defined by high effort but low execution, where Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell proved too much for Charlotte's perimeter defense. We analyze the defensive shortcomings and ask the hard questions about whether a core of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel can defe...

It is a festive edition of the Locked On Hornets podcast as Walker Mehl goes solo to deliver the "12 Gifts of Christmas" straight from the Spectrum Center. The holiday special begins with a deep look at rookie sensation Kon Knueppel, who is not just sniping from deep but dominating as the team's most efficient driver. We examine how his passing out of drives and record-breaking three-point pace are reshaping the Hornets' offense an...

We return to ask the big question: Was the victory over the Atlanta Hawks the most significant win of the season? While the Raptors game might have been the defensive peak, the guys argue that this performance offered the first true "proof of concept" for the new era of Hornets basketball. LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel finally shared the floor in a way that showcased the team's explosive offensive ceiling, with Ball...

The Charlotte Hornets stay in the win column after a thrilling 133-126 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Walker Mehl and Doug Branson react live to LaMelo Ball’s electric return to the court. LaMelo looked like his All-Star self, pouring in 28 points and closing out the game with a personal 7-0 run. But he wasn't alone—Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel also flirted with 30-point nights, showcasing the terrifying potential of Charlotte'...

We return to discuss the latest NBA Rookie Ladder. Kon Knueppel remains firmly at the number two spot, trailing only Cooper Flagg. We compare the impact of empty stats versus winning plays, noting Knueppel’s role in the recent overtime victory against Cleveland compared to Flagg's big scoring night in a loss. The guys also look at the numbers, stacking Knueppel’s rookie campaign up against LaMelo Ball’s Rookie of the Year season.

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Walker Mehl goes solo to discuss all of the takes flying around about LaMelo Ball come the NBA Trade Deadline. Does LaMelo actually want out of Charlotte? Walker tells you the biggest difference between LaMelo and Ja Morant/Trae Young. Is it clear LaMelo has more value than the other point guards? Finally, Walker goes through the ESPN NBA Power Rankings.

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Walker Mehl and Doug Branson recap a wild weekend for the Hornets. Kon Knueppel is turning heads, dropping 33 against the Bulls and following it up with a masterful performance in an overtime win over the Cavaliers. The guys discuss Michael Scotto's report that Charlotte already views the rookie as the face of the franchise. Is it too early for that label, or has his play forced the conversation? We look at how Knueppel has handled...

Kon Knueppel looked every bit the star the Hornets hoped for, dropping a career-high 33 points and showcasing an offensive arsenal that kept Charlotte in the game until the final buzzer. But the headline isn't just the rookie's breakout performance—it is the controversial no-call on his potential game-tying three-pointer. We examine the officiating decision regarding Zach Collins' landing zone and why Charles Lee had every right to...

Today on Locked On Hornets, we open up the notebook for "Stray Observations." Kon Knueppel has been riding an efficiency roller coaster lately. We look at the numbers and identify the missing ingredient in his game compared to other top rookies like Cooper Flagg—specifically his ability to get to the free-throw line. Then, we turn our attention to Collin Sexton. The data shows he is elite in catch-and-shoot situations, yet the volu...

Kon Knueppel has officially been passed in the NBA Rookie Ladder race by Cooper Flagg, and we examine if this is a temporary dip or a sign of things to come. We look at the statistical arguments for both players, noting how Knueppel's efficiency remains high despite defenses adjusting to him, while Flagg's recent scoring outbursts have propelled him to the top spot. With Derik Queen also making noise at number three, the race for R...