Hornets OBLITERATE Thunder in Best Win | LaMelo’s CIRCUS Shots | Best Win of Charles Lee Era?
The Charlotte Hornets deliver their most impressive performance of the season, dismantling the OKC Thunder in a massive blowout victory. We discuss Moussa Diabate’s incredible impact, LaMelo Ball’s circus shots, and whether this marks a turning point for the franchise under Charles Lee.
The Charlotte Hornets just played their best game of the Charles Lee era, absolutely dismantling the Oklahoma City Thunder 124-97. We explore how Charlotte managed to dominate a top-tier opponent from tip-off to the final buzzer. It wasn’t just a shooting barrage; the defensive intensity, led by Moussa Diabate, stifled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder attack. We examine Diabate’s eye-popping impact on the team’s best lineups and why his energy is indispensable right now.
Offensively, LaMelo Ball dazzled with circus shots that defy logic, while Kon Knueppel continues to be a model of consistency and efficiency. The “Bee 3” core of LaMelo, Brandon Miller, and Miles Bridges is finally healthy and clicking, leading to one of the league’s top offenses over the last two weeks. We discuss the significance of this victory as a potential benchmark for the season and what it means for the Hornets’ play-in aspirations.
Plus, we look ahead to upcoming matchups against the Raptors and Pacers and provide updates on the potential returns of Ryan Kalkbrenner and Grant Williams. Join us for a celebration of a statement win that has Buzz City buzzing.
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://linktr.ee/lockedonhornets
Become an official member of the Locked On Hornets Sicko Brigade and get Hornets news, rumors and pictures of Byron Mullens sent directly to your phone via Subtext (14 Day Free Trial): https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonhornets
Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/nba
Get Doug’s gamenotes, special articles and a podcast on Hornets history at the Every Hornets Boxscore substack: everyhornetsboxscore.com
Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM
Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise
Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history
📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter
Locked On Hornets https://twitter.com/LockedOnHornets
Walker Mehl https://twitter.com/WalkerMehl
Doug Branson https://twitter.com/DougBransonLOH
For your next listen, check out the Locked On NBA podcast, where the season never ends providing national expertise with a local perspective. Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month.
eBay Motors
From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuel
Now through September 22nd, ALL FanDuel customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get a THREE WEEK free trial of NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV. Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
#Hornets #LaMelo #LaMeloBall #CharlotteHornets
40 comments
Resign Collin Sexton if we are good come end of season
Why our start PG only getting 2 assists? Imagine Lamelo if his focus was creating for our shooters
If they don't score at least 140, it's not good enough. Need center and front court to chip in
Going virtually unnoticed and entirely unmentioned, Shoutout Lamelo Ball who's been incredibly Efficient in his shooting the past 10 games. Since returning from that last ankle injury, he's averaged 20 points in 27 minutes per, with 50 percent from 3 on 9 attempts Gotdam
Kon really gunning for ROTY
Has anyone else notice Lamelo getting frustrated at times with his own teammates. He is my favorite player, and would like to see him not "spaz" out on his teammates. He did it with diabate at the end of the half, also with Tijane another game, and I've seen it a few times. Wish he would be more supportive… that's all.
Another Tre DNP what’s going on
When Moussa + Miles + Melo + Kon + BMill play, the Hornets are in 5-0 😊😊😊
This was the most complete defensive game I’ve seen. They are listening to Charles. They are playing like a playoff team. They do what it takes to shut down the other team’s best player. Christmas came early or late.
Let me find out someone in charge of NBA highlights lost big money on this game and refused to post them lmao
I can hear the excuses already…."OKC didn't come to play", OKC took the game lightly because of the opponent", and "They were not focused because they were playing back to back".
Mouse is our Dennis Rodman. Move him to the 4 and try to have him develop a 3
L A M E L O B A L L !
We are basically the champions now!
Yes, it sure is.
The last game when Melo took a shot to the face and got back up ready for some more.. Something clicked.. They playing different..
Sion was shutting SGA down. Can’t not talk about his impact on this game physically and defensively.
They are really starting to play defense in the last few games. Keep it up. Also Ball is now playing team basketball. Love it.
We replaced Kai with a Moose, lol.
Cant wait till the whole team healthy
Musa🔥🔥🔥👿
Imagine if we had a healthy Kalk and Grant
Used to pray for times like this
Brandon Miller…man, what can I say. Dude is on a different type of time.
I'm not a Hornets fan, but I'm happy for them. Kon is legit NBA-ready; if LaMelo plays with a team mindset and everyone locks in on defense, the Hornets will make the playoffs soon.
Just cause ain’t nobody said it. Hats off to Charles Lee. His defensive mindset is the thing that’s most exciting to see translate on the court.
So happy to see Doug with the dub hat on after that OKC demolition
Yes this is best Hornets win in quite some time…
Those Brandon and LaMelo injuries early this year are gonna haunt us all season. If we had this core healthy the whole season I unironically think we might actually be close to a 6 seed right now. When Brandon, Miles, LaMelo and Kon start the team is 9-4.
Good win over a good team that obviously had a bad night. Any other time in the Hornets would've wilted and surrendered so this is an obvious improvement. You guys gave no love to PJ Hall who has shown he belongs. There was no fall off when he came in the game. Should go ahead and waive Plumlee and open up a roster spot. Hall can provide minutes at the 4 spot as well.
DOUG – stop "wondering" about the evolution – the roles you described for the "Big 3" is what some of us have been seeing all along. Get the froncourt together and prepare to be AMAZED!
let go and jump in… the waters fine! 😆
Charlotte sports has a way of playing at the level of their competition. Like how we do this against OKC…. but Suck against Pelicans, or Wizards? never will understand.
We beat Boston last year but we didn't beat them over 25 points
This works bc of rookie scale contracts. Going to have to make decisions in 1-2 seasons on who to keep
Great podcast Walker and Doug 😃🙌🏻, what a performance and Win last night 🏀👍🏻, it’s awesome to see Lamelo, Brandon and Kon all starting and also playing at a high level and completing each other. Like you both said about how Moussa has a big impact on both sides, he’s been relentless all season. Let’s go Hornets 🙌🏻🏀
Love that W!!!! But whats up with Tre? No Minutes …?
That was so fun to watch last night! Hornets about to go on generational run?!
The Mouse deserves every bit of love Walker! The effort he gives every game is insane. You just know he’s about to go out there and play his heart out. Love to see it
When is B Mill going to starting getting respect? And Still Hurt?
This is what we’ve been waiting for. Our top guys Melo and Brandon are healthy at the same time for an extended period of time. With kon being the efficient scorer I think this team goes on a run. But we have said to evaluate this team we gotta see the core play together. These next couple months are super important