The Charlotte Hornets’ 2024-25 NBA schedule is out. Key dates, trends and what to know

The Charles Lee Era officially begins in Houston, the Charlotte Hornets still aren’t quite ready for prime time, and their suitcases will take a beating in February.

Those are just a few of several takeaways from the Hornets’ full 2024-25 regular-season schedule unveiled on Thursday, which came exactly 48 hours following the release of this year’s Emirates NBA Cup slate. The Hornets’ schedule also includes two games — one home, one away — between Dec. 12-16 against yet to be determined opponents that will be announced once tournament group play has been completed.

Lee, the Hornets’ first-year coach, makes his true sideline debut on Oct. 23 against the Houston Rockets, and Charlotte has a date in Atlanta with the Hawks two days later prior to returning to uptown for their Oct. 26 regular-season home opener at Spectrum Center against Southeast Division rival Miami.

But none of those matchups will be broadcast nationally, which is once again a common theme. Currently, just one of the Hornets’ games is on tap to be on ESPN: January 17 in Chicago, likely because the network is hoping it features a rare outing between LaMelo Ball and older brother Lonzo Ball. It’s similar to 2023-24, when the Hornets had one game slated to be on ESPN — at San Antonio on January 12 — but the network pulled the plug due to Charlotte’s struggles and badly banged-up roster.

Victor Wembanyama, who didn’t play in Charlotte during San Antonio’s visit in January, makes his lone trek to the Carolinas on February 7, which concludes a team-record nine-game homestand. The Hornets will also host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers during that same home stretch on January 27.

Steph Curry, the pride of Charlotte and recently-crowned Olympic gold medalist who starred at Davidson, comes to town for his usual rousing homecoming on March 3.

All regional Hornets games will be televised by Bally Sports Southeast.

BY THE NUMBERS*

Longest homestand: 9 (Jan. 24-Feb. 7 vs. Portland, New Orleans, Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn, LA Clippers, Denver, Washington, Milwaukee, San Antonio)

Longest road trip: 8 (Feb. 9-27 at Detroit, Brooklyn, Orlando, Denver, Portland, Sacramento, Golden State, Dallas)

Most games in a month: 16 (November, March)

Road/home back-to-backs: 4

Home/home back-to-backs: 4

Road/road back-to-backs: 1

Consecutive games vs. same opponent: 2 (vs. Boston on Nov. 1, 2; at Boston on April 11, 13)

Scheduled national TV appearances (excluding NBATV): 1 (at Chicago, Jan. 17)

* — (Totals reflect 80 games since two games remain TBD due to NBA’s in-season tournament)

Hornets regular-season schedule

All times Eastern.

“TBD” Games are either in-season tournament playoff games or added regular-season games.