Charlotte's NBA Story in 44 Moments (1988-2026)

From the Bring Back the Buzz archive. In 2019 we told Charlotte's NBA story in pictures. We've rebuilt it as a timeline and brought it up to 2026.

Hornets, Bobcats, Hornets again. Charlotte's NBA story has more twists than most franchises twice its age. Here it is in 44 moments.

The original Hornets (1988-2002)

1. 1988: Designer Alexander Julian and Kelly Tripucka show off the original teal-and-purple pinstripes.
2. Nov. 1988: Opening night at the brand-new Charlotte Coliseum.
3. 1988-89: The Hornets lead the NBA in attendance in year one, and a banner goes up to prove it.
4. 1989-90: The media guide cover becomes a collector's item.
5. 1991: The whole NBA world, from Jordan to Magic, comes to Charlotte for All-Star Weekend.
6. 1991: The Hornets draft Larry Johnson No. 1 overall.
7. 1992: Alonzo Mourning arrives at No. 2.
8. 1992: LJ throws down in the Slam Dunk Contest.
9. 1993: LJ, Muggsy and Zo become the Big 3.
10. 1993: Zo scores 33 and hits the game-winner to beat the Celtics, the franchise's first playoff series win.
11. 1995: A mural of Muggsy, LJ and Zo goes up on an uptown wall.
12. 1996: Vlade Divac and Anthony Mason join the fold.
13. 1997: Glen Rice is MVP of the NBA All-Star Game.
14. 1998: Ric Flair fires up the Coliseum before a game against the Sonics.
15. 1999: Master P's short stint with the Hornets.
16. 1999: The Hornets draft Baron Davis.
17. 2000: Bobby Phills' #13 becomes the first jersey the franchise retires (his story).
18. 2000: Eddie Jones, Anthony Mason and company head back to the playoffs.
19. 2001: Hugo celebrates a playoff series against the Bucks.
20. 2002: Charlotte fans pack the Hive one last time before the team leaves for New Orleans.

The Bobcats years (2003-2014)

21. June 2003: The NBA unveils Charlotte's new expansion team at a street party uptown.
22. July 2003: Ground breaks on the new uptown arena.
23. 2004: Gerald Wallace arrives in the expansion draft.
24. 2005: Emeka Okafor is named Rookie of the Year.
25. June 2007: The Charlotte Coliseum is demolished.
26. 2008: Larry Brown takes over as head coach.
27. 2010: Michael Jordan becomes majority owner, and the Bobcats make their first playoff appearance.
28. 2010-11: Fans start the campaign to bring the Hornets name back to Charlotte.
29. 2011: Kemba Walker is drafted No. 9.
30. 2011-12: The Bobcats win seven games, the low point.
31. May 2013: The team announces it will apply to become the Charlotte Hornets.

The Hornets are back (2014-2026)

32. May 20, 2014: The Charlotte Hornets name officially comes home.
33. Oct. 2014: Kemba forces overtime and wins it in the first game back as the Hornets.
34. Nov. 1, 2014: Bobby Phills' #13 is raised again in Charlotte.
35. 2016: The Hornets win their first playoff games in 14 years but fall to Miami in seven.
36. 2018: Kemba passes Dell Curry to become the franchise's all-time leading scorer.
37. 2019: Charlotte hosts NBA All-Star Weekend, and Kemba is a three-time All-Star.
38. 2019: Kemba is traded to Boston, and a younger core takes over.
39. 2020: The Hornets draft LaMelo Ball at No. 3. He wins Rookie of the Year.
40. 2023: Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall take over as owners.
41. 2024: Charles Lee is hired as head coach.
42. 2025: Kon Knueppel is drafted No. 4, and the Hornets win their first Summer League title (and Coach Lee crashed our party).
43. 2025-26: A nine-game win streak and a 44-38 record, the best in a decade, plus a play-in run.
44. June 2026: LaMelo is traded to Minnesota, and a new long-term build begins.

Moment 45 hasn't happened yet. We plan to be in the building, or at The Local, when it does.