Locked On Hornets - Daily Podcast On The Charlotte Hornets

We finally have some good news to share on the injury front. Hornets PR announced that Brandon Miller was assigned to the Greensboro Swarm for practice and then recalled. We explain why this procedural move is a fantastic sign and suggests the team's original two-week timeline was accurate. We look at the schedule and target a potential return date for Miller.

Miller's absence has been a blessing in disguise for one player: Kon Knueppel. Walker and Doug are ready to admit they are fully "falling in love" with the rookie's performance. He's checking all the boxes , hitting big shots , and posting incredible high-usage, high-efficiency numbers for a rookie. We ask the big question: Is it too early to talk about a "Big Three" in Charlotte with LaMelo, Brandon, and Kon?

It wasn't all good news over the weekend, however. We look at the loss to OKC and the continued, awful trend of collapsing coming out of halftime. We also address the fan frustration regarding rotations: Why didn't LaMelo Ball play in overtime against Milwaukee? And why did Tre Mann close over Collin Sexton?

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Get Doug's gamenotes, special articles and a podcast on Hornets history at the Every Hornets Boxscore substack: everyhornetsboxscore.com

Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM

Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

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This victory was built on the back of the center play, a spot that was supposed to be a major weakness. Ryan Kalkbrenner was incredible, fresh off the birth of his first child. He put up 17 points, tying his career-high, on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting, anchoring a defense that totally bothered Milwaukee at the rim. Alongside him, Moussa Diabate was a relentless force, grabbing 13 rebounds, including eight on the offensive glass. We celebrate this "brick wall" energy.

We also explore the national praise the Hornets rookies are finally getting. Kon Knueppel is sitting at the top of the NBA.com Rookie Ladder , and even in a game that wasn't his best, he still casually dropped 16 points. Collin Sexton also brought the pace and energy, creating opportunities for everyone even when his shot wasn't efficient. It's a different feeling around this team, and we examine what this means for when LaMelo Ball eventually returns. Walker also shares a heartfelt thank you for the overwhelming support during his appearance on the television broadcast

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Get Doug's gamenotes, special articles and a podcast on Hornets history at the Every Hornets Boxscore substack: everyhornetsboxscore.com

Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM

Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

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The Charlotte Hornets pulled off a 111-100 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, defined by their most aggressive, physical performance of the season. The defense set the tone, holding the Bucks under 30 points in all four quarters.

The story of the game was the center rotation. Ryan Kalkbrenner, fresh off the birth of his first child, put up 17 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting, dominating with his "baby hook." Moussa Diabate backed him up, owning the glass with 13 rebounds and fueling a 19-to-5 second-chance points advantage for Charlotte.

This win also saw the Hornets finally break their third-quarter curse. They won the period 24-22, playing with composure and committing only three turnovers. While the star rookies had cooler shooting nights, players like Tre Mann stepped up with key offensive buckets. The big question coming out of this win: Does Kalkbrenner's stellar play change the calculus on whether the Hornets should pursue a star center like Domantas Sabonis?

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Doug Branson is flying solo on today's show as the team prepares for the Milwaukee Bucks. The program begins with the biggest issues facing the Charlotte Hornets, starting with the mystery around LaMelo Ball's ankle impingement. Doug addresses fan frustration following LaMelo's brief Greensboro Swarm practice assignment, noting the lack of clarity around the injury is reaching a "boiling point". 

Next, the show analyzes the loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The biggest takeaway is why this version of the Hornets, without LaMelo and Brandon, is consistently getting shellacked in the third quarter. Doug examines how poor starting lineups and defensive issues are contributing to a terrible -29.2 net rating in the third over the last five games.

Finally, the conversation shifts to trade market opportunities. With reports that the Sacramento Kings are looking to tear down their roster, Doug debates which player the Hornets should pursue. Domantas Sabonis emerges as the key target, with Doug discussing the necessary package to acquire the three-time All-Star center to pair with a healthy LaMelo Ball.

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Get Doug's gamenotes, special articles and a podcast on Hornets history at the Every Hornets Boxscore substack: everyhornetsboxscore.com

Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM

Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

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Walker goes solo to talk about the growing LaMelo Ball question: Is it worth it anymore? Walker looks at the pros and cons, what life without LaMelo looks like, and everything the Hornets have to consider regarding LaMelo's future. How does Kon Knueppel's play impact the LaMelo conversation?

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Doug flies solo to cover the latest Hornets loss to the Miami Heat, an NBA Cup game that got out of hand quickly. The first quarter was a disaster, with the team giving up 53 points, largely fueled by seven costly turnovers that led to easy transition buckets for Miami.

The game highlights the two biggest storylines for this team: injuries and rookies. The injury list is brutal, with LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Grant Williams, and Josh Green all still out, and Collin Sexton missing this game too. LaMelo's continued absence with ankle impingement is now fueling serious trade rumors, with reports suggesting the market is ripe for a "mess for mess" guard swap. We explain why this trade talk feels more legitimate than simple speculation.

On the positive side, the injuries have opened the door for the rookies, and Kon Knueppel just kicked it down. He was outstanding, dropping his first 30-point game and scoring 20+ for the third straight time. His IQ and confidence are flashing star potential. Unfortunately, the rookies are being let down by the veterans, as Tre Mann and Miles Bridges went a combined 1-for-17 in the second half, killing any chance of a comeback.

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Become an official member of the Locked On Hornets Sicko Brigade and get Hornets news, rumors and pictures of Byron Mullens sent directly to your phone via Subtext (14 Day Free Trial): https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonhornets

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Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM

Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

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FanDuel

Right now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.

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We're focusing on the bright spots, and it doesn't get much brighter than Kon Knueppel’s start to the season. We’re seriously looking at his case for Rookie of the Year. His odds are third-best in the class, and his numbers are fantastic. He's second among rookies in scoring and is shooting an incredible 41% from three on over seven attempts per game. He's on pace to shatter Keegan Murray’s rookie 3-point record , and his advanced stats are elite, rating in the 98th percentile as a pick-and-roll roll man. We discuss what he needs to win the award and whether the absence of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller helps or hurts his case.

It's a different story for last year's rookie, Tidjane Salaun, who has been optioned to the Greensboro Swarm. After a promising start, his minutes disappeared. We think this is a great decision for his development, allowing him to refine his technique and footwork in a competitive G-League setting. However, his path back to the NBA rotation looks tough, especially with Sion James' versatility and Grant Williams' eventual return.

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Become an official member of the Locked On Hornets Sicko Brigade and get Hornets news, rumors and pictures of Byron Mullens sent directly to your phone via Subtext (14 Day Free Trial): https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonhornets

Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More

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Get Doug's gamenotes, special articles and a podcast on Hornets history at the Every Hornets Boxscore substack: everyhornetsboxscore.com

Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM

Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

Locked On Hornets https://twitter.com/LockedOnHornets

Walker Mehl https://twitter.com/WalkerMehl

Doug Branson https://twitter.com/DougBransonLOH

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With Hungryroot, it’s like having a personal shopper and a nutritionist all in one. For a limited time, get 40% off your first box and a free item in every box for life! Just go to Hungryroot.com/lockedonnba and use code LOCKEDONNBA.

Monarch Money

Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnba for 50% off your first year

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel

Right now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.

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We're back to talk about the injury bug, and it’s hitting the Hornets hard. We start with the frustrating news about LaMelo Ball. That "ankle impingement" that ended his season last year has returned , and it's clear this isn't just "load management". This recurring issue is a major concern, especially now that the team's identity is built around his specific talents and the team has finally put complementary pieces around him.

As if that wasn't enough, we also have the official update on Brandon Miller. He's confirmed to have a left shoulder subluxation and will be reevaluated in two weeks. We explain why that "two-week" timeframe feels like the "kiss of death" for Hornets fans , remembering what happened with Tre Mann last season.

With LaMelo injured, the trade rumors are swirling again, specifically the "LaMelo for Ja Morant" swap. We explain why this makes no sense for Charlotte , especially given Morant's history of off-court drama.

To end on a high note, we have to talk about Ryan Kalkbrenner. Is the rookie center "too big to fail"? He's been fantastic, posting huge block numbers and fitting perfectly into Charles Lee's defensive scheme. We look at how he's excelling and why he's already exceeded our expectations.

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Become an official member of the Locked On Hornets Sicko Brigade and get Hornets news, rumors and pictures of Byron Mullens sent directly to your phone via Subtext (14 Day Free Trial): https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonhornets

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Get Doug's gamenotes, special articles and a podcast on Hornets history at the Every Hornets Boxscore substack: everyhornetsboxscore.com

Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM

Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

Locked On Hornets https://twitter.com/LockedOnHornets

Walker Mehl https://twitter.com/WalkerMehl

Doug Branson https://twitter.com/DougBransonLOH

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

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Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at www.openphone.com/lockedonnba

Hungryroot

With Hungryroot, it’s like having a personal shopper and a nutritionist all in one. For a limited time, get 40% off your first box and a free item in every box for life! Just go to Hungryroot.com/lockedonnba and use code LOCKEDONNBA.

Monarch Money

Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnba for 50% off your first year

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel

Right now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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This one stings. We're here to talk through one of the most painful losses of the season, a 116-112 defeat where the Hornets collapsed against the previously winless New Orleans Pelicans. Charlotte was in control, holding a lead for much of the fourth quarter, but everything fell apart in the final minutes during a brutal 11-0 run by the Pelicans.

Fans are pointing fingers directly at coach Charles Lee, and we have to examine those final possessions. We question the offensive set designed for Kon Knueppel—a pick-and-pop three while up by two—and the lack of creativity when a bucket was essential.

However, the blame doesn't stop with the coach. The players had an "embarrassment of mistakes." We look at Miles Bridges' rushed three-pointer with plenty of time left, Collin Sexton's defensive struggles all night, and a pair of critical late turnovers by Tre Mann. Even Sion James had a costly inbound error reminiscent of his time at Duke.

While the rookies continue to be a bright spot, this game showed how much this team misses the stabilizing presence of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. This was a full-team loss, and we're sorting through the wreckage.

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Become an official member of the Locked On Hornets Sicko Brigade and get Hornets news, rumors and pictures of Byron Mullens sent directly to your phone via Subtext (14 Day Free Trial): https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonhornets

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Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

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The team had an up-and-down weekend, splitting their two home games. The first contest was a 122-105 loss to the physical Minnesota Timberwolves , a game where LaMelo Ball played despite a new right ankle impingement injury. This loss reinforced a trend: this team struggles against bigger, stronger opponents, especially while missing Grant Williams and Brandon Miller.

However, in the second game, LaMelo sat out , and the team responded beautifully with a 126-103 win over the Utah Jazz. The rookies were the story of the night. Sion James showed his two-way ability, Kon Knueppel was more assertive, and Ryan Kalkbrenner continued his hyper-efficient play by focusing on his role .

It wasn't just the rookies; Miles Bridges looked "locked in" after a social media post, dropping 29 points and getting to the free-throw line. Collin Sexton also had a 12-assist double-double against his former team.

We'll examine the team's impressive ball movement (31 assists) and a key analytic shift: the Hornets are now elite in both generating and hitting corner threes, ranking 3rd in the NBA in accuracy. We also share some "Sicko Celebrations" from the fans.

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Get Doug's gamenotes, special articles and a podcast on Hornets history at the Every Hornets Boxscore substack: everyhornetsboxscore.com

Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM

Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

Locked On Hornets https://twitter.com/LockedOnHornets

Walker Mehl https://twitter.com/WalkerMehl

Doug Branson https://twitter.com/DougBransonLOH

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

OpenPhone

Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at www.openphone.com/lockedonnba

Hungryroot

With Hungryroot, it’s like having a personal shopper and a nutritionist all in one. For a limited time, get 40% off your first box and a free item in every box for life! Just go to Hungryroot.com/lockedonnba and use code LOCKEDONNBA.

Monarch Money

Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnba for 50% off your first year

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel

Right now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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