Locked On Hornets - Daily Podcast On The Charlotte Hornets

Walker goes solo to discuss LaMelo Ball's latest appearance on the injury report and why his game-time decision against Minnesota is a big one. The Hornets pick up team options on Tidjane Salaun and Brandon Miller, but the interesting conversation surrounds Brandon's deal NEXT year. Finally, Walker explores what rookie success means for the Hornets despite losing games.

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🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOHornets?sid=YouTube

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

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

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

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Doug Branson https://twitter.com/DougBransonLOH

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Welcome to Locked On Hornets. The team has taken a second straight divisional rival beatdown, this time losing 123-107 to the Orlando Magic. This was a game where the Hornets knew they were the smaller, less physical team, and the desperate Magic took full advantage. Orlando bullied the Hornets at the rim, and the Hornets' offense collapsed, giving up 29 points off turnovers.

We'll spend time on the individual struggles, starting with LaMelo Ball. He was just fined $35,000 by the league for an obscene gesture, which points to a larger maturity and emotional control issue that the star continues to grapple with. Miles Bridges also had a difficult night, getting physically handled by Paolo Banchero and reverting to the poor step-back threes that Charles Lee has noted.

We also have to address the rookie wall. Kon Knueppel looked "largely ineffective" against Orlando's length, and Sion James made some costly errors. Charles Lee's decision to start three rookies is part of a larger experimentation with the lineups, but it's fair to ask if this is hurting the team's ability to find any rhythm. The one consistent bright spot remains Ryan Kalkbrenner, the "trash panda" who continues to be hyper-efficient, scoring 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting. Finally, we open the mailbag for a fan "Sicko Vent Session"

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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

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Walker Mehl and Doug Branson bring back a show staple: "Stang'n or Clang'n." They start with the positives, and there's no bigger positive than rookie Kon Knueppel. He's set an NBA rookie record for threes in his first five games and is shooting 58% from deep. The hosts look at his impressive probing, passing, and even his defense, which has earned praise from Coach Charles Lee.

Then, it's time for the "Clang'n." The conversation turns to Tre Mann, who is in a deep slump, punctuated by a 3-for-15 night. Walker and Doug consider if this is just rust or a lingering effect from his back injury. LaMelo Ball also lands in the "clang'n" category, not for his offense, but for his defensive consistency. His frustration with officials in the Heat game led to a "snowball effect" of bad defense and easy transition buckets for Miami.

The hosts also touch on Charles Lee's rotations, the hyper-efficient (and low-usage) Ryan Kalkbrenner, the surprising play of Tidjane Salaun, and the electric driving of Collin Sexton. Finally, they answer a heartwarming question from an 8-year-old fan who just wants to stay for a whole game on his birthday.

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🎧 https://linktr.ee/lockedonhornets

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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The Hornets' hot start came to a screeching halt in Miami. Doug Branson opens up the autopsy report after a 144-117 blowout loss to the Heat. This was the Hornets' first real defensive test of the season, and they failed it. The defense gave up 20 threes and couldn't get back in transition, often due to frustration on the other end.

That frustration was epitomized by LaMelo Ball. After showing increased maturity in the first few games , this performance felt like a step back. LaMelo's frustration with not getting foul calls bubbled over , leading to a technical foul , poor transition defense , and ill-advised shots. Doug discusses how this one game impacts the narrative around LaMelo's growth.

It wasn't all bad, however. Rookie Kon Knueppel was a major bright light , scoring 19 points, hitting five triples, and dishing a career-high four assists. His off-ball movement and high-level processing continue to impress.

Finally, the show covers a worrying update on Brandon Miller, who is reportedly seeking a second opinion for a shoulder subluxation. The episode also touches on the continued struggles of Tre Mann and the bad habits returning for Miles Bridges.

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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

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The "Big Dub Hat" is officially out! We celebrate a huge Hornets win over the Wizards, a team that gave us fits all last season. It was a weekend split after a tough loss to Philly, but the real story is LaMelo Ball. After one bad possession against the 76ers had critics calling him a "losing player," LaMelo responded in a massive way. We discuss his 38-point triple-double—a franchise record for points in a triple-double, passing Baron Davis —and what we're hearing about his new leadership. He's reportedly calling out teammates like Miles Bridges to "lock in," and it looks like he's finally got the talent around him to back it up.

A lot of that new talent comes from the rookies. We are stunned by the immediate, positive impact of Sion James , who is already drawing comparisons to guys like Alex Caruso and Lu Dort. We also look at Kon Knueppel's scoring punch (11, 14, and 20 points in his first three games ) and why Doug thinks he must be a permanent starter, even when Brandon Miller returns. Plus, we have the latest update on Brandon Miller's shoulder injury and explain why Collin Sexton is the perfect, high-energy force for this team coming off the bench

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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

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Walker Mehl https://twitter.com/WalkerMehl

Doug Branson https://twitter.com/DougBransonLOH

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

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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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Walker goes solo to discuss the latest in the Terry Rozier situation. Did the Hornets know about the investigation before trading Terry Rozier to Miami? Does it matter? The show moves to a focus on the roster around LaMelo Ball finally complimenting his game and bringing the most out of his abilities. Finally, Walker takes a look at the Hornets/76ers matchup.

#Hornets #LaMelo #LaMeloBall #CharlotteHornetsFollow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 

🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOHornets?sid=YouTube
 

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

📲 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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We wanted to come on and celebrate a one-and-oh start and a fifth-straight season-opening win, but a massive story has overshadowed the game. Former Hornet Terry Rozier, along with Chauncey Billups and others, has been arrested as part of a wide-ranging investigation into illegal sports betting and rigged games. We must discuss the specifics of the allegation, which stems from a March 2023 game when Rozier was a Hornet. The indictment alleges he planned to leave a game early with a "supposed injury" after tipping off a friend to bet his "unders". We'll also play audio from Brian Windhorst suggesting the NBA knew about this and pulled Rozier for the rest of that season. We explore what the Hornets organization likely knew at the time and why they are not implicated in any wrongdoing.

After that, we finally get to the good news: the 1-0 start. We'll share rapid-fire observations on LaMelo's efficiency , Brandon Miller's physicality , the rookies' contributions , and Trey Mann's impressive playmaking. This leads to a debate: is this team just a "fun League Pass team," or are they on the path to becoming a "feared" playoff contender?

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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

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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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What a beautiful game to watch. The Hornets started the season with a dominant 136-117 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, a performance that earned them a standing ovation in the renovated Spectrum Center. That 136-point total is a new Hornets franchise record for a season opener, and the offensive crispness was a night-and-day difference from last season.

The story of the night was the connection between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. Miller led all scorers with 25 points and seven assists, and LaMelo (who finished with 20 points) fed him three spectacular alley-oops. Miles Bridges also picked up right where he left off, posting a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. The scoring was incredibly balanced, with nine of the ten players who touched the floor reaching double figures.

We also have to credit the rookies, as Kon Knueppel and Ryan Kalkbrenner both got the opening night start, with Zion James also seeing 16 minutes. The bench was fantastic, fueled by Moussa Diabaté's energy (13 points, 9 rebounds) , Collin Sexton’s aggressive driving, and Trey Mann's 6 assists. While the team took this game seriously, we must also acknowledge the negatives—17 turnovers and too many fouls. 

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🎧 https://linktr.ee/lockedonhornets

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

🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA

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

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We've made it—this is the last stop before the 2025-26 regular season begins. To get things started the right way, we're firing up the "Rotation Station" for one final time. We know LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Miles Bridges are locked in as starters, but the other two spots remain the biggest questions. We'll look at the case for starting Collin Sexton at the two-guard, which feels like a 75% probability given how much Charles Lee has praised his leadership and culture-setting impact. The center spot is a true coin flip. One host predicts Ryan Kalkbrenner gets the start, as his size matches up well against the non-shooting bigs of the Brooklyn Nets, Nic Claxton and Day'Ron Sharpe . The other host argues for Moussa Diabaté, questioning if Kalkbrenner can handle the physicality and noting that Moussa's relentless effort (and that hug from the coach) gives him the veteran's edge . We also consider how deep the rotation will be while Josh Green and Grant Williams are out. Plus, the Hornets are on a four-game opener winning streak, and with a soft early schedule, this is a major test of the team's new "seriousness". Finally, we celebrate the great news that the home opener will be broadcast on local TV, a crucial step in rebuilding this fanbase.

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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

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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.

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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It is finally opening week for the Charlotte Hornets. As we prepare for Wednesday's opener against the Nets, there's a different feeling around this team—a level of seriousness we haven't seen in years. We'll identify the biggest storylines heading into the regular season. It all starts with the leaps we need to see from the dynamic duo of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller; Melo needs an efficiency jump, and Miller needs to take that next step toward stardom. Another huge storyline is the impact of Collin Sexton. He's already being called a culture changer , bringing an aggressive "competitive joy" that this roster desperately needed.

We also have to talk about the center rotation. Charles Lee confirmed three starters are locked in—LaMelo, Brandon Miller, and Miles Bridges —but the battle between Moussa Diabaté and Ryan Kalkbrenner for the starting five spot is still raging. This roster may not be "serious" at center, but the goal is to capitalize on the competence shown this offseason and turn it into wins. Finally, we'll give our last thoughts on the final preseason game against the Knicks, including Miles Bridges' stellar, efficient shooting and an incredible moment where Charles Lee bear-hugged Moussa Diabaté after a great defensive play.

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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

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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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