NBA Team Guide
Charlotte Hornets: History, Championships & Facts
The Charlotte Hornets joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1988. The original Hornets moved to New Orleans in 2002, Charlotte returned as the Bobcats in 2004, and the Hornets name and its 1988–2002 records came back to Charlotte in 2014.
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Updated live from ESPN.
Quick facts
| Founded | 1988, as an NBA expansion team |
|---|---|
| Arena | Spectrum Center, Charlotte (opened 2005 as Charlotte Bobcats Arena) |
| NBA titles | None through the 2025–26 season |
| Best playoff finish | Conference semifinals (1993, 1998, 2001, 2002) |
| Name history | Hornets (1988–2002), Bobcats (2004–2014), Hornets (2014–) |
| Best record | 54–28 in 1996–97 |
Championship history
Charlotte has not won an NBA title or reached the NBA Finals through the 2025–26 season. Its deepest playoff runs ended in the conference semifinals.
- 1993: beat the Boston Celtics 3–1 in the first round, lost to the New York Knicks 4–1 in the conference semifinals
- 1998: beat the Atlanta Hawks 3–1, lost to the Chicago Bulls 4–1 in the conference semifinals
- 2001: swept the Miami Heat 3–0, lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 4–3 in the conference semifinals
- 2002: beat the Orlando Magic 3–1, lost to the New Jersey Nets 4–1 in the conference semifinals
Franchise history
- 1988: Began play as an NBA expansion team at the Charlotte Coliseum.
- 1993: Won the franchise's first playoff series, over the Boston Celtics.
- 2002: The original Hornets moved to New Orleans.
- 2004: The Charlotte Bobcats began play in the 2004–05 season.
- 2005: Moved into Charlotte Bobcats Arena, later renamed Spectrum Center.
- 2014: The Bobcats became the Hornets and took back the records of the 1988–2002 Hornets.
- 2026: Retired Dell Curry's No. 30 on March 19.
Franchise record holders
| Points | Kemba Walker, 12,009 |
|---|---|
| Assists | Muggsy Bogues, 5,557 |
| Blocks | Alonzo Mourning, 684 |
Retired numbers
- 6Bill Russell (retired across the NBA)
- 13Bobby Phills
- 30Dell Curry
Biggest rivalries
- Miami Heat: fellow 1988 expansion teams who met in the playoffs in 2001, 2014 and 2016.
- Orlando Magic: Southeast Division rivals who met in the first round in 2002 (Charlotte won 3–1) and 2010 (Orlando won 4–0).
- Atlanta Hawks: Southeast Division rivals who met in the 1998 first round, won by Charlotte 3–1.
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Have the Charlotte Hornets ever won an NBA title?
No. Through the 2025–26 season the franchise has not reached the NBA Finals. Its best playoff finish is the conference semifinals, reached in 1993, 1998, 2001 and 2002.
Why were the Hornets called the Bobcats?
The original Hornets moved to New Orleans in 2002. Charlotte's new expansion team began play in 2004 as the Bobcats. It became the Hornets again in 2014.
Do the Hornets own the history of the 1988–2002 Hornets?
Yes. In 2014 Charlotte took back the history and records of the 1988–2002 Hornets. The New Orleans Pelicans kept the records from 2002 on.
Who is the Hornets' all-time leading scorer?
Kemba Walker, with 12,009 regular-season points.
What numbers have the Hornets retired?
No. 13 for Bobby Phills and No. 30 for Dell Curry, retired in 2026. No. 6 is retired across the NBA for Bill Russell.
Sources
Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.