Can the Hornets Open Up the 2025-26 NBA Season 2-0?
The Charlotte Hornets opened the 2025-26 NBA Season with a resounding 136-117 win over the Brooklyn Nets. In the opening contest, they demonstrated offensive depth, the ability to create turnovers, and the ability to kick the ball out for easy points in transition and the fast break. Brandon Miller led the way in scoring with 25 points in his first game back from a wrist injury. He complimented LaMelo Ball well and showed fans that they still had the connection they had before the injury. Now, after a resounding win, the Hornets will take their momentum into Philadelphia when they take on the 76ers in their first road contest of the year on Saturday night.
This will be a big test for the Hornets' centers as both Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabate will have to contend with Joel Embiid. The 76ers center did not have a good showing in the season opener against the Boston Celtics as he finished with only four points on one-for-nine shooting in 20 minutes of play. The Cameroon native will look to bounce back against a rookie center and a player that the Hornets signed last year after impressing them after a G-League call-up. This will be an early-season test of the Hornets' center depth as the 2022-23 NBA MVP will take advantage of the inexperience Buzz City has at the “five” position. If the Hornets want to win this game, they could take the approach of letting Embiid score as many points as he wants, but let nobody else have a good game. Players like Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, who combined for 74 points in the Sixers’ 117-116 win over the Celtics, would have to have bad games. This will put more pressure on the Hornets' guards to be disciplined on defense.
The Hornets' bench will be crucial in this matchup as they have the size and length to compete with Philly. The X-factor might be Collin Sexton. The former Alabama guard electrified the Charlotte crowd in last night’s game and is a sparkplug that could give the 76ers problems. Sexton is quick with the basketball. Once he finds an angle, he hits with a burst of speed that makes him hard to defend. He scored 15 points off the bench in 17 minutes of action and provided energy to the second unit that could be a precursor to what his role would be all season long.
Overall, the Hornets have the depth to match up with Philly. However, their experience at the “five” position may be their downfall, as they do not have a guy that matches up well with Joel Embiid. The key may be to slow down Maxey and Edgecombe, especially since the rookie had a historic performance in his first game as a pro. The Hornets will have to be disciplined on defense, and their bench will have to step up and play an even bigger role in this game in order for Buzz City to start the season 2-0.
