Hornets Surge Towards Playoffs, Led by Coby White

The Charlotte Hornets are making a surprising late-season push for a playoff berth, winning four straight games and 22 of their last 28 contests as of March 24, 2026. Guard Coby White has been a key contributor to this turnaround, providing a scoring spark off the bench.

Hornets’ Playoff Push Intensifies

Charlotte (38-34) currently finds itself in a tight race for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. Despite their impressive recent form, the Hornets are tied for eighth place with multiple teams, making each game crucial. The team is attempting to end the league’s longest active playoff drought, having last appeared in the postseason in the 2015-16 season.

Coach Lee Credits Team Resilience

Head coach Charles Lee attributes the team’s success to lessons learned from a difficult previous season. “I consider every game last year motivated us all,” Lee said. “When you proceed through a lot of adversity, a lot of losses, you try to find a way to solve the problems. I think our group has done a great job maintaining the right mindset every day to continue to improve.”

White’s Impact Since Joining the Hornets

As of March 24, 2026, the Hornets are tied with the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat, and just one game behind the seventh-place Philadelphia 76ers. Coby White, acquired mid-season from the Chicago Bulls, has quickly turn into an integral part of the Hornets’ offense. In 12 games with Charlotte, White is averaging 15.9 points per game while shooting 40.3% from three-point range. He scored 27 points in a 134-90 win over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, hitting 6 of 8 three-point attempts.

A Versatile Offensive Threat

“We have a group of players that can shoot,” White stated. “It’s difficult to defend when you have four players on the court who can score a three-pointer.”

Key Contributors for Charlotte

Alongside White, Brandon Miller leads the Hornets in scoring with 20.3 points per game, while LaMelo Ball averages 19.7 points. Rookie Kon Knueppel is likewise contributing significantly, averaging 19.0 points per game and is a contender for Rookie of the Year honors.

Knicks Pose a Challenge

The Hornets face a tough test on Thursday night against the New York Knicks (48-25), who are riding a seven-game winning streak. The Knicks are looking to solidify their position in the Eastern Conference standings and are within striking distance of the second-ranked Boston Celtics.

Brunson Leads the Knicks

The Knicks’ success is largely attributed to the play of Jalen Brunson, who averages 26.2 points and 6.6 assists per game. Coach Mike Brown emphasizes Brunson’s ability to develop plays for himself and his teammates. “When it matters most, when the pressure is highest, (Brunson) makes the game easier for everyone else,” Brown said. Karl-Anthony Towns is also a key player for the Knicks, averaging 20.2 points and 12.0 rebounds per game and having recorded a double-double in each of his last five games.