5 things that went wrong for the Charlotte Hornets in the 2020-21 NBA season

#3 Charlotte Hornets’ five-game losing streak to end the season

P.J. Washington #25 attempts a shot against Nikola Jokic #15.

Speaking of their last five games, the Charlotte Hornets absolutely had their worst stretch of the season during those eight days.

During that forgettable five-game stretch, the Charlotte Hornets shot a horrendous 29.6 from beyond the arc (30th in the league) and 41.4 percent overall from the field (29th). Among the biggest culprits for such poor shooting were P.J. Washington, who made just 28.8 percent of his field goal attempts, and Malik Monk, who shot 28.1 percent from the field.

As the team’s point guard, Ball had a lot of say in the team’s horrid showing as well. Having just returned from a wrist injury, Ball shot 36.5 percent from the field, including only 29.2 percent from three.

At the other end, the Charlotte Hornets gave up 115.0 points per game to their opponents and allowed them to make nearly 50 percent (49.7%) of their field goals.

#2 Embarrassing Play-In Tournament loss to the Indiana Pacers

In their final loss of the season, the Charlotte Hornets absorbed a 144-117 drubbing at the hands of the Indiana Pacers in the play-in tournament.

It was an embarrassment of epic proportions as the Charlotte Hornets gave up the most points they had ever surrendered during the 2020-21 season. They also allowed the Pacers to shoot 55.2 percent from the field and 45.7 percent from three-point range.

The Pacers aren’t significantly better than the Hornets. The Pacers are an NBA team, you play no 3pt defense, most NBA shooters will knock it down. This is pathetic effort from Charlotte. I’ve never been more disappointed in this team and I remember the 7 win season #AllFly #CHA

— Pedro Rivera (@PedroRiveraTV) May 19, 2021

As for points in the paint, the one thing that the Charlotte Hornets didn’t want their opponents to dominate, the Pacers outplayed them in that area as well (74-56). It was so bad that they trailed Indiana by as many as 39 points.

#1 Injuries to key players

LaMelo Ball #2 drives to the basket.

The worst thing that happened to the Charlotte Hornets this season was the injuries to their best players.

LaMelo Ball suffered a wrist fracture that required surgery in the 41st game of his rookie season. The Charlotte Hornets were 20-21 at the time of Ball’s injury. By the time he returned to the court, they were 31-32 and were missing former All-Star Gordon Hayward.

JUST IN – LaMelo Ball could possibly return this season after undergoing surgery on his fractured right wrist.Ball suffered the injury in Saturday's loss to the Clippers.Sources tell @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/sIxc6NyncS

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 23, 2021

Hayward suffered a right foot sprain in early April and they never saw him suit up again. The Hornets spiraled downwards the moment they lost their fearless leader, going 8-17 in their final 25 games, including their play-in tournament loss.

Almost every NBA team endured injuries to their stars at one time or another. However, the Charlotte Hornets never learned to adapt without their two stars and it essentially doomed their season.

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