Charlotte Hornets vs. Golden State Warriors 

Charlotte Hornets vs. Golden State Warriors   

March 29, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

Spectrum Center
333 E Trade St.
Charlotte, NC 28202

Tickets: $105 plus

The Hornets will host Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors for the first time this season Friday night at Spectrum Center. The Warriors beat the Hornets in their last matchup back in February, and are 3-2 in their last five games, currently sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference standings. The Hornets snapped a five-game losing streak Wednesday night, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-111, and this will be the second game of the Hornets’ eight game home stand. 

It was confirmed on Thursday that LaMelo Ball will miss the remainder of the season, after being sidelined with an ankle injury since January 26, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.  Ball averaged a career-high 23.9 points in only 22 games this season. 

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball — who’s missed 29 consecutive games with an ankle injury — will remain out for the final two-plus weeks of the season, team says.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 28, 2024

The Hornets will wear their City Edition uniforms, paired with the City Edition court for the Curry reunion although Seth will be out with a right ankle injury. 

What to watch for: 

The Warriors style of play heavily relies on player movement and off-ball screens. Golden State rarely gets caught in isolation possessions, ranking fourth in the NBA in assist percentage (66.6). The Warriors are also an exceptional offensive rebounding team, ranking third in the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage (31.8). Draymond Green, Kevon Looney, and Andrew Wiggins carry the bulk of the responsibility on the glass, rebounding by committee. The Warriors are of course led by Charlotte native and 10-time All-Star Stephen Curry, who is averaging 26.5 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game. 

The Hornets will need to communicate effectively on defense, making sure to switch or hedge on screens, in order to contain Klay Thompson and Curry. Grant Williams will likely have a large role in this game, as he will be tasked with neutralizing Draymond Green’s playmaking and rebounding opportunities. 

Warriors forwards Jonathan Kuminga (left knee soreness) and Dario Šarić (right knee soreness) are questionable for tonight’s game. 

Davis Bertans (nose fracture) is listed as probable and Seth Curry (right ankle), Cody Martin (left ankle), and Mark Williams (low back injury) are out for the Hornets.

Inside the Numbers: 

• Brandon Miller erupted for 31 points and a career-high seven three-pointers Wednesday night in the win against Cleveland, tying D.J. Augustin, LaMelo Ball, and P.J. Washington Jr. for the most threes in a game by a rookie in franchise history.
• Nick Richards registered his team-leading 19th double-double, the most in any campaign of his career, with 11 points and 10 rebounds in the win Wednesday night. 
• The Hornets shot a season-high 57.9 percent (44-of-76) from the field in the win against Cleveland. They limited the Cavaliers to 15 points in the fourth quarter, matching a season low by a Charlotte opponent in any quarter this season. 

Jeremy Grandison is a Charlotte native and contributing sports writer for CLTure. He also hosts his own podcast, Lock It or Leave It.

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