Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball #1 speaks to Nick Richards #4 during the second-half game against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on October 19, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. Ronald Cortes / Getty Images / AFP
The Charlotte Hornets should be in a good mood for the opener at home. The New Orleans Pelicans should also come with confidence.
The teams started the season with resounding wins, setting up a nice clash for Friday night in Charlotte, NC.
The game marked the first game in the first home season for the Hornets since coach Steve Clifford returned for a second time with the franchise.
Charlotte’s 129-102 home club San Antonio Wednesday night marked the franchise’s biggest margin of victory in its season opener.
“When we took down and broke the roster, there was no change,” said Clifford.
Part of that was due to third-year player Nick Richards hitting 19 points and 10 rebounds.
“He knows who he is and he plays to his strengths. Clifford said. “He’s just doing what he can, so I think it will be interesting to see how he develops in this role.”
Visit Pelicans beat Brooklyn Nets 130-108 on the opening Wednesday night. Striker Zion Williamson, who is frequently injured and misses the 2021-22 season, has 25 points, nine recoveries for New Orleans along with a 28-point effort from Brandon Ingram.
Williamson said he was happy to be back in action after a long layoff.
“Simply playing the game I love,” he said. “It was a breath of fresh air.”
The Pelicans are happy he’s back at his best.
“It was like he didn’t miss a beat,” said New Orleans coach Willie Green. “Just throw the ball to him and see what he does.”
The game in Charlotte will be a throwback to some of Williamson’s greatest college moments. As a Duke freshman, he led the Blue Devils to win the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championship at the Hornets’ building. It’s a homecoming for the player who was groomed in nearby South Carolina at a young age, so he’ll be excited to show off his teammates, too.
“Our squad is very deep,” Williamson said. “We are all root for each other. I think that’s what makes us great.”
Williamson could face Richards, a center, in the lane as part of Friday night’s game.
Not all is rosy for Hornet. They lost reserve Cody Martin after suffering a severe injury on the first Wednesday night and he did not return.
Charlotte was without standout guard LaMelo Ball, who sprained her ankle last season and did not compete on Wednesday.
Despite being arrested on DWI weekend charges, James Bouknight played in the opening game for the Hornets. That opens up the possibility that he will be in uniform in the first home game of the season.
Last year, the Hornets won their first three games.
The Pelicans didn’t win their second game last season until their 14th game. Furthermore, they will win the second lane – something that doesn’t happen until November 26 in the 2021-22 season.
In March, Charlotte defeated the Pelicans twice in the span of 11 days, and New Orleans had trouble defending the Hornets’ 3-pointer.
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