Hornets forward Brandon Miller reacts after dunking the ball during a preseason game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Charlotte Hornets Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 in North Charleston Coliseum.
Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff
But unlike Philadelphia and New York, the Hornets schedule a game for the local fan base. Reaching out to fans in the Lowcountry was a point of emphasis for the franchise.
“It’s been really cool — we’ve had an amazing trip,” said Charlotte Hornets coach Charles Lee. “The basketball has been really productive, the ability to eat some really good food has been great, the weather has been good. We’re always talking about how we want to represent the Carolinas, and now we get to expand our footprint into Charleston and into South Carolina.
“I really appreciate The Citadel being so accommodating to us and being able to practice there. This has been a phenomenal trip.”
This is the third time that the Hornets have made the three-hour trek down I-77 and I-26 to Charleston to play an exhibition game.
In 2009, the then-Charlotte Bobcats faced the LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal-led Cleveland Cavaliers. Three years later, Charlotte played against New Orleans and No. 1 pick Anthony Davis.
Oklahoma City fans, however, were not happy that the Thunder’s star players, including reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, did not make the trip to the Lowcountry.
All five of the Thunder projected starters — Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Luguentz Dort — were not in attendance.
The Thunder will play their second preseason game Monday night in Dallas.
Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins dunks the ball during a preseason game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Charlotte Hornets Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 in North Charleston Coliseum.
Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff
“I wish they would have told us that those guys were not going to be here,” said Hunter Petrozzellia, who proudly wore his No. 2 Gilgeous-Alexander jersey to the game around the concourse. “I mean, I still would have come. It’s the NBA, and I’m a huge fan of the league.
“But to not have Shai or Chet or any of those guys in the building was disappointing. I understand it’s a preseason game, but it seems like one of those load management things, and this isn’t an NBA city, so this was my one chance to see them play in person.”