2017–18 Charlotte Hornets season

2017–18 Charlotte Hornets season
Head coach	Steve Clifford
General manager	Rich Cho Buzz Peterson (interim) Mitch Kupchak
Owners	Michael Jordan
Arena	Spectrum Center
Results
Record	36–46 (.439)
Place	Division: 3rd (Southeast) Conference: 10th (Eastern)
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television	Fox Sports Carolinas, Fox Sports Southeast
Radio	WFNZ

The 2017–18 Charlotte Hornets season was the 28th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the fifth season under head coach Steve Clifford. It was also the last season where Rich Cho was the general manager for the Hornets and the last where Clifford was the head coach (until his return in 2022), as well as Mitch Kupchak's first year with Charlotte.

On March 28, 2018, against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kemba Walker surpassed Dell Curry to become the franchise's all-time leader in points. The Hornets equaled their record from last season and went on to miss playoff contention for the second straight season.

On April 8, 2018, Kupchak was hired as the president of basketball operations and general manager of the Charlotte Hornets.

On April 13, 2018, the Hornets' president of basketball operations and general manager Kupchak announced that the team had relieved Steve Clifford of his head coaching duties.

NBA draft

Main article: 2017 NBA draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	School/club team
1	11	Malik Monk	SG	United States	Kentucky
2	40	Dwayne Bacon	SG	United States	Florida State

Roster

2017–18 Charlotte Hornets roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From F 7 Bacon, Dwayne 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 221 lb (100 kg) 1995–08–30 Florida State G/F 5 Batum, Nicolas 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1988–12–14 France G 10 Carter-Williams, Michael 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1991–10–10 Syracuse G/F 21 Graham, Treveon 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 219 lb (99 kg) 1993–10–28 VCU C 41 Hernangómez, Willy 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1994–05–27 Spain C 12 Howard, Dwight 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1985–12–08 SW Atlanta Academy (GA) F/C 44 Kaminsky, Frank 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 242 lb (110 kg) 1993–04–04 Wisconsin F 14 Kidd-Gilchrist, Michael 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 232 lb (105 kg) 1993–09–26 Kentucky G 3 Lamb, Jeremy 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1992–05–30 Connecticut F/C 9 Mathiang, Mangok (TW) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1992–10–08 Louisville G 1 Monk, Malik 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1998–02–04 Kentucky G 4 Paige, Marcus (TW) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 164 lb (74 kg) 1993–09–11 North Carolina G 32 Stone, Julyan 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1988–12–07 UTEP G 15 Walker, Kemba 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 184 lb (83 kg) 1990–05–08 Connecticut F 2 Williams, Marvin 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 237 lb (108 kg) 1986–06–19 North Carolina F/C 40 Zeller, Cody 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1992–10–05 Indiana

Head coach Steve Clifford Assistant coach(es) Michael Batiste Pat Delany Steve Hetzel Eddie Jordan Bruce Kreutzer Stephen Silas (Associate HC) Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate (TW) Two-way affiliate player Injured Roster Last transaction: 2018–2–7

Game log

Pre-season

2017 pre-season game log Total: 2–3 (Home: 1–1; Road: 1–2)
Pre-season: 2–3 (home: 1–1; road: 1–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 October 2 @ Boston L 82–94 Kemba Walker (12) Dwight Howard (10) Lamb, Walker (3) TD Garden 18,624 0–1 2 October 4 @ Detroit W 108–106 Malik Monk (19) Dwight Howard (11) Julyan Stone (7) Little Caesars Arena 13,882 1–1 3 October 9 @ Miami L 106–109 Malik Monk (19) Cody Zeller (8) Malik Monk (4) American Airlines Arena 19,600 1–2 4 October 11 Boston L 100–108 Malik Monk (21) Cody Zeller (9) Kemba Walker (6) Spectrum Center N/A 1–3 5 October 13 Dallas W 111–96 Kemba Walker (18) Dwight Howard (12) Bacon, Walker (4) Spectrum Center 10,018 2–3
2017–18 season schedule

Regular season

2017–18 game log Total: 36–46 (Home: 21–20; Road: 15–26)
October: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 October 18 @ Detroit L 90–102 Kemba Walker (24) Dwight Howard (15) Kemba Walker (4) Little Caesars Arena 20,491 0–1 2 October 20 Atlanta W 109–91 Kemba Walker (26) Dwight Howard (15) Kemba Walker (9) Spectrum Center 18,417 1–1 3 October 23 @ Milwaukee L 94–103 Frank Kaminsky (18) Dwight Howard (22) Kemba Walker (6) Bradley Center 12,887 1–2 4 October 25 Denver W 110–93 Frank Kaminsky (20) Dwight Howard (19) Lamb, Walker (5) Spectrum Center 14,253 2–2 5 October 27 Houston L 93–109 Kemba Walker (26) Dwight Howard (16) Kemba Walker (5) Spectrum Center 17,339 2–3 6 October 29 Orlando W 120–113 Kemba Walker (34) Marvin Williams (11) Kemba Walker (10) Spectrum Center 15,531 3–3 7 October 30 @ Memphis W 104–99 Kemba Walker (27) Lamb, Williams, Zeller (8) Kemba Walker (6) FedExForum 15,711 4–3
November : 4–9 (home: 4–2; road: 0–7) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 8 November 1 Milwaukee W 126–121 Kemba Walker (26) Dwight Howard (11) Treveon Graham (5) Spectrum Center 15,655 5–3 9 November 3 @ San Antonio L 101–108 Dwight Howard (20) Dwight Howard (13) Jeremy Lamb (6) AT&T Center 18,418 5–4 10 November 5 @ Minnesota L 94–112 Cody Zeller (16) Howard, Zeller (9) Kemba Walker (9) Target Center 14,124 5–5 11 November 7 @ New York L 113–118 Howard, Monk, Walker (21) Dwight Howard (9) Kemba Walker (7) Madison Square Garden 18,704 5–6 12 November 10 @ Boston L 87–90 Kemba Walker (20) Dwight Howard (11) Kemba Walker (11) TD Garden 18,624 5–7 13 November 15 Cleveland L 107–115 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (22) Kidd-Gilchrist, Kaminsky (6) Kemba Walker (7) Spectrum Center 19,427 5–8 14 November 17 @ Chicago L 120–123 Kemba Walker (47) Dwight Howard (9) Kemba Walker (5) United Center 20,493 5–9 15 November 18 L.A. Clippers W 102–87 Kemba Walker (26) Dwight Howard (16) Nicolas Batum (7) Spectrum Center 17,640 6–9 16 November 20 Minnesota W 118–102 Dwight Howard (25) Dwight Howard (20) Michael Carter-Williams (4) Spectrum Center 15,978 7–9 17 November 22 Washington W 129–124 (OT) Dwight Howard (26) Dwight Howard (13) Jeremy Lamb (5) Spectrum Center 16,041 8–9 18 November 24 @ Cleveland L 99–100 Dwight Howard (20) Dwight Howard (13) Kemba Walker (8) Quicken Loans Arena 20,562 8–10 19 November 25 San Antonio L 86–106 Kemba Walker (18) Dwight Howard (11) Kemba Walker (5) Spectrum Center 18,597 8–11 20 November 29 @ Toronto L 113–126 Dwight Howard (22) Dwight Howard (10) Batum, Carter-Williams (5) Air Canada Centre 19,800 8–12
December : 5–11 (home: 3–7; road: 2–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 21 December 1 @ Miami L 100–105 Marvin Williams (16) Dwight Howard (9) Michael Carter-Williams (6) American Airlines Arena 19,600 8–13 22 December 4 Orlando W 104–94 Kemba Walker (29) Nicolas Batum (11) Nicolas Batum (7) Spectrum Center 14,419 9–13 23 December 6 Golden State L 87–101 Kemba Walker (24) Cody Zeller (8) Kemba Walker (5) Spectrum Center 19,334 9–14 24 December 8 Chicago L 111–119 (OT) Dwight Howard (25) Dwight Howard (20) Nicolas Batum (10) Spectrum Center 14,077 9–15 25 December 9 L.A. Lakers L 99–110 Kemba Walker (23) Dwight Howard (12) Kemba Walker (1) Spectrum Center 19,320 9–16 26 December 11 @ Oklahoma City W 116–103 Dwight Howard (23) Dwight Howard (7) Kemba Walker (9) Chesapeake Energy Arena 18,203 10–16 27 December 13 @ Houston L 96–108 Dwight Howard (26) Dwight Howard (18) Batum, Walker, Carter-Williams (3) Toyota Center 16,509 10–17 28 December 15 Miami L 98–104 Kemba Walker (25) Dwight Howard (16) Nicolas Batum (10) Spectrum Center 15,565 10–18 29 December 16 Portland L 91–93 Nicolas Batum (23) Dwight Howard (15) Kemba Walker (6) Spectrum Center 16,687 10–19 30 December 18 New York W 109–91 Frank Kaminsky (24) Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (9) Kemba Walker (6) Spectrum Center 15,386 11–19 31 December 20 Toronto L 111–129 Jeremy Lamb (32) Dwight Howard (9) Nicolas Batum (5) Spectrum Center 15,023 11–20 32 December 22 @ Milwaukee L 104–109 Kemba Walker (32) Marvin Williams (10) Nicolas Batum (6) Bradley Center 17,018 11–21 33 December 23 Milwaukee W 111–106 Dwight Howard (21) Dwight Howard (16) Kemba Walker (8) Spectrum Center 18,363 12–21 34 December 27 Boston L 91–102 Kemba Walker (24) Dwight Howard (17) Kemba Walker (5) Spectrum Center 19,611 12–22 35 December 29 @ Golden State W 111–100 Dwight Howard (29) Dwight Howard (12) Dwight Howard (7) Oracle Arena 19,596 13–22 36 December 31 @ L.A. Clippers L 98–106 Kemba Walker (30) Dwight Howard (10) Nicolas Batum (6) Staples Center 17,348 13–23
January : 8–6 (home: 4–4; road: 4–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 37 January 2 @ Sacramento W 131–111 Dwight Howard (20) Dwight Howard (8) Kemba Walker (10) Golden 1 Center 17,583 14–23 38 January 5 @ L.A. Lakers W 108–94 Kemba Walker (19) Dwight Howard (10) Kemba Walker (7) Staples Center 18,997 15–23 39 January 10 Dallas L 111–115 Kemba Walker (41) Dwight Howard (12) Kemba Walker (4) Spectrum Center 14,462 15–24 40 January 12 Utah W 99–88 Kemba Walker (22) Dwight Howard (13) Kemba Walker (6) Spectrum Center 14,848 16–24 41 January 13 Oklahoma City L 91–101 Kemba Walker (19) Dwight Howard (17) Marvin Williams (4) Spectrum Center 19,624 16–25 42 January 15 @ Detroit W 118–107 Dwight Howard (21) Dwight Howard (17) Kemba Walker (9) Little Caesars Arena 17,200 17–25 43 January 17 Washington W 133–109 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (21) Dwight Howard (15) Kemba Walker (7) Spectrum Center 11,528 18–25 44 January 20 Miami L 105–106 Nicolas Batum (26) Dwight Howard (15) Kemba Walker (7) Spectrum Center 18,687 18–26 45 January 22 Sacramento W 112–107 Kemba Walker (26) Dwight Howard (16) Kemba Walker (9) Spectrum Center 11,806 19–26 46 January 24 New Orleans L 96–101 Dwight Howard (22) Dwight Howard (16) Kemba Walker (7) Spectrum Center 14,588 19–27 47 January 26 Atlanta W 121–110 Kemba Walker (29) Dwight Howard (15) Nicolas Batum (8) Spectrum Center 15,479 20–27 48 January 27 @ Miami L 91–95 Kemba Walker (30) Dwight Howard (16) Kemba Walker (5) American Airlines Arena 19,600 20–28 49 January 29 @ Indiana L 96–105 Kemba Walker (23) Dwight Howard (11) Kemba Walker (4) Bankers Life Fieldhouse 14,225 20–29 50 January 31 @ Atlanta W 123–110 Kemba Walker (30) Dwight Howard (16) Nicolas Batum (10) Philips Arena 13,103 21–29
February : 7–5 (home: 4–1; road: 3–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 51 February 2 Indiana W 133–126 Kemba Walker (41) Dwight Howard (11) Kemba Walker (9) Spectrum Center 17,135 22–29 52 February 4 @ Phoenix W 115–110 Nicolas Batum (22) Dwight Howard (14) Batum, Walker (5) Talking Stick Resort Arena 14,487 23–29 53 February 5 @ Denver L 104–121 Kemba Walker (20) Cody Zeller (10) Nicolas Batum (5) Pepsi Center 14,410 23–30 54 February 8 @ Portland L 103–109 (OT) Kemba Walker (40) Dwight Howard (15) Nicolas Batum (5) Moda Center 19,178 23–31 55 February 9 @ Utah L 94–106 Kemba Walker (19) Dwight Howard (9) Kemba Walker (5) Vivint Smart Home Arena 18,306 23–32 56 February 11 Toronto L 103–123 Kemba Walker (23) Dwight Howard (13) Kemba Walker (9) Spectrum Center 18,320 23–33 57 February 14 @ Orlando W 104–102 Dwight Howard (22) Dwight Howard (13) Nicolas Batum (7) Amway Center 18,428 24–33 58 February 22 Brooklyn W 111–96 Kemba Walker (31) Dwight Howard (24) Batum, Walker (7) Spectrum Center 14,112 25–33 59 February 23 @ Washington W 122–105 Frank Kaminsky (25) Kemba Walker (7) Nicolas Batum (8) Capital One Arena 17,824 26–33 60 February 25 Detroit W 114–98 Howard, Walker (17) Dwight Howard (12) Nicolas Batum (9) Spectrum Center 17,894 27–33 61 February 27 Chicago W 118–103 Kemba Walker (31) Nicolas Batum (7) Nicolas Batum (12) Spectrum Center 14,521 28–33 62 February 28 @ Boston L 106–134 Kemba Walker (23) Marvin Williams (9) Nicolas Batum (10) TD Garden 18,624 28–34
March : 6–9 (home: 3–3; road: 3–6) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 63 March 2 @ Philadelphia L 99–110 Kemba Walker (31) Nicolas Batum (13) Nicolas Batum (8) Wells Fargo Center 20,487 28–35 64 March 4 @ Toronto L 98–103 Kemba Walker (27) Dwight Howard (10) Nicolas Batum (8) Air Canada Centre 19,800 28–36 65 March 6 Philadelphia L 114–128 Dwight Howard (30) Dwight Howard (6) Nicolas Batum (10) Spectrum Center 15,600 28–37 66 March 8 Brooklyn L 111–125 Kemba Walker (21) Dwight Howard (7) Kemba Walker (6) Spectrum Center 14,173 28–38 67 March 10 Phoenix W 122–115 Dwight Howard (30) Batum, Howard (12) Batum, Walker (7) Spectrum Center 19,336 29–38 68 March 13 @ New Orleans L 115–119 Howard, Walker (22) Dwight Howard (11) Nicolas Batum (8) Smoothie King Center 15,507 29–39 69 March 15 @ Atlanta W 129–117 Dwight Howard (33) Dwight Howard (12) Nicolas Batum (16) Philips Arena 14,486 30–39 70 March 17 @ New York L 101–124 Dwayne Bacon (15) Dwight Howard (13) Dwayne Bacon (3) Madison Square Garden 17,760 30–40 71 March 19 @ Philadelphia L 94–108 Kemba Walker (24) Batum, Walker (8) Kemba Walker (6) Wells Fargo Center 20,530 30–41 72 March 21 @ Brooklyn W 111–105 Dwight Howard (32) Dwight Howard (30) Kemba Walker (6) Barclays Center 10,231 31–41 73 March 22 Memphis W 140–79 Kemba Walker (46) Willy Hernangómez (12) Jeremy Lamb (6) Spectrum Center 15,033 32–41 74 March 24 @ Dallas W 102–98 Kemba Walker (24) Dwight Howard (22) Frank Kaminsky (6) American Airlines Center 20,085 33–41 75 March 26 New York W 137–128 (OT) Kemba Walker (31) Dwight Howard (13) Kemba Walker (7) Spectrum Center 14,487 34–41 76 March 28 Cleveland L 105–118 Kemba Walker (21) Dwight Howard (10) Nicolas Batum (5) Spectrum Center 19,474 34–42 77 March 31 @ Washington L 93–107 Dwight Howard (22) Dwight Howard (13) Nicolas Batum (7) Capital One Arena 19,071 34–43
April : 2–3 (home: 0–2; road: 2–1) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 78 April 1 Philadelphia L 102–119 Kidd-Gilchrist, Monk (16) Willy Hernangomez (11) Kemba Walker (4) Spectrum Center 17,005 34–44 79 April 3 @ Chicago L 114–120 Dwight Howard (23) Dwight Howard (17) Nicolas Batum (5) United Center 20,139 34–45 80 April 6 @ Orlando W 137–100 Malik Monk (26) Dwight Howard (17) Malik Monk (8) Amway Center 17,018 35–45 81 April 8 Indiana L 117–123 Malik Monk (22) Dwight Howard (12) Frank Kaminsky (6) Spectrum Center 16,629 35–46 82 April 10 @ Indiana W 119–93 Frank Kaminsky (24) Dwight Howard (17) Batum, Stone (6) Bankers Life Fieldhouse 17,331 36–46
2017–18 season schedule

Standings

Southeast Division	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div	GP
y – Miami Heat	44	38	.537	–	26‍–‍15	18‍–‍23	11–5	82
x – Washington Wizards	43	39	.524	1.0	23‍–‍18	20‍–‍21	8–8	82
Charlotte Hornets	36	46	.439	8.0	21‍–‍20	15‍–‍26	11–5	82
Orlando Magic	25	57	.305	19.0	17‍–‍24	8‍–‍33	5–11	82
Atlanta Hawks	24	58	.293	20.0	16‍–‍25	8‍–‍33	5–11	82

Eastern Conference
#	Team	W	L	PCT	GB	GP
1	c – Toronto Raptors *	59	23	.720	–	82
2	x – Boston Celtics	55	27	.671	4.0	82
3	x – Philadelphia 76ers	52	30	.634	7.0	82
4	y – Cleveland Cavaliers *	50	32	.610	9.0	82
5	x – Indiana Pacers	48	34	.585	11.0	82
6	y – Miami Heat *	44	38	.537	15.0	82
7	x – Milwaukee Bucks	44	38	.537	15.0	82
8	x – Washington Wizards	43	39	.524	16.0	82
9	Detroit Pistons	39	43	.476	20.0	82
10	Charlotte Hornets	36	46	.439	23.0	82
11	New York Knicks	29	53	.354	30.0	82
12	Brooklyn Nets	28	54	.341	31.0	82
13	Chicago Bulls	27	55	.329	32.0	82
14	Orlando Magic	25	57	.305	34.0	82
15	Atlanta Hawks	24	58	.293	35.0	82

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player	POS	GP	GS	MP	REB	AST	STL	BLK	PTS	MPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Dwight Howard	C	81	81	2,463	1,012	105	48	131	1,347	30.4	12.5	1.3	.6	1.6	16.6
Kemba Walker	PG	80	80	2,736	248	444	91	24	1,770	34.2	3.1	5.6	1.1	.3	22.1
Jeremy Lamb	SG	80	18	1,967	324	186	61	32	1,033	24.6	4.1	2.3	.8	.4	12.9
Frank Kaminsky	PF	79	4	1,835	288	129	36	19	873	23.2	3.6	1.6	.5	.2	11.1
Marvin Williams	PF	78	78	2,006	370	96	56	38	744	25.7	4.7	1.2	.7	.5	9.5
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist	SF	74	74	1,850	302	71	51	32	681	25.0	4.1	1.0	.7	.4	9.2
Nicolas Batum	SG	64	64	1,981	306	349	65	23	740	31.0	4.8	5.5	1.0	.4	11.6
Treveon Graham	SG	63	2	1,050	121	59	33	2	273	16.7	1.9	.9	.5	.0	4.3
Malik Monk	SG	63	0	854	66	91	20	9	421	13.6	1.0	1.4	.3	.1	6.7
Dwayne Bacon	SG	53	6	713	124	38	16	2	175	13.5	2.3	.7	.3	.0	3.3
Michael Carter-Williams	PG	52	2	835	138	116	44	23	239	16.1	2.7	2.2	.8	.4	4.6
Johnny O'Bryant III	PF	36	0	379	93	14	9	6	171	10.5	2.6	.4	.3	.2	4.8
Cody Zeller	C	33	0	627	177	31	14	21	233	19.0	5.4	.9	.4	.6	7.1
Julyan Stone	SG	23	0	175	29	26	4	2	19	7.6	1.3	1.1	.2	.1	.8
Willy Hernangómez†	C	22	1	262	116	12	10	9	135	11.9	5.3	.5	.5	.4	6.1
Marcus Paige	PG	5	0	28	4	3	0	0	12	5.6	.8	.6	.0	.0	2.4
Mangok Mathiang	C	4	0	20	10	0	1	0	8	5.0	2.5	.0	.3	.0	2.0

• ^† Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Hornets only.

Transactions

Main article: List of 2017–18 NBA season transactions

Trades

June 20, 2017	To Charlotte Hornets Dwight Howard 31st pick in the 2017 NBA draft	To Atlanta Hawks Miles Plumlee Marco Belinelli 41st pick in the 2017 NBA draft
June 22, 2017	To Charlotte Hornets Draft rights to Dwayne Bacon (pick 40) Cash considerations	To New Orleans Pelicans Draft rights to Frank Jackson (pick 31)
February 7, 2018	To Charlotte Hornets Willy Hernangómez	To New York Knicks Johnny O'Bryant III 2020 second round pick 2021 second round pick

Free agents

Re-signed

Player	Signed

Additions

Player	Signed	Former team
Michael Carter-Williams	July 7, 2017	Chicago Bulls
Mangok Mathiang	August 2, 2017	Louisville Cardinals
Marcus Paige	August 2, 2017	Salt Lake City Stars
Julyan Stone	August 23, 2017	Umana Reyer Venezia

Subtractions

Player	Reason left	New team
Miles Plumlee	Traded	Atlanta Hawks
Marco Belinelli	Traded	Atlanta Hawks
Ramon Sessions	Unrestricted free agent	New York Knicks
Brian Roberts	Unrestricted free agent	Olympiacos Piraeus
Brianté Weber	Waived	Los Angeles Lakers
Christian Wood	Unrestricted free agent	Fujian SBS Sturgeons / Delaware 87ers