The Charlotte Hornets faced a challenging game against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, aiming to extend their winning streak to three after recent victories over the Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite holding a six-point lead through the first three quarters, the Hornets were unable to secure the win. The Raptors outscored Charlotte by seven points in the fourth quarter, culminating in a buzzer-beating three-pointer from guard Immanuel Quickley that sealed their fate.
In a crucial moment, LaMelo Ball had put Charlotte ahead with a contested layup, making the score 96-94 with just 1.8 seconds left, but the Hornets couldn’t maintain their momentum. The team struggled with a shooting percentage of just 37% from the field. Collin Sexton stepped up, leading the bench with 22 points on 7-for-13 shooting, while PJ Hall made notable contributions with eight points and seven rebounds in 15 minutes, stepping into a more significant role due to injuries among key players Ryan Kalkbrenner and Mason Plumlee.
Looking ahead, the Hornets are reportedly exploring options to bolster their frontcourt ahead of the trade deadline. According to Brett Siegel of Clutch Points, they have drawn interest in former NBA Champion Bobby Portis from the Milwaukee Bucks. Portis is having a strong season, averaging 13.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, while shooting a career-best 47.3% from beyond the arc.
Acquiring Portis could enhance Charlotte’s depth and might prove beneficial for the development of their young centers. His familiarity with head coach Charles Lee and teammate Pat Connaughton from their time in Milwaukee could also facilitate a smoother integration should a trade occur.
While Milwaukee may be hesitant to part ways with Portis, he could be a valuable asset for the Hornets if they can negotiate a fair deal. Trade considerations could include players with similar salary structures, like Josh Green or Grant Williams, while Charlotte might also look to move Collin Sexton, whose contract is larger and will be expiring at the end of the season.
With the Hornets focused on securing a top-10 position to qualify for the NBA Play-In tournament, they will continue to strive for improvement, with their next game scheduled against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.