The Charlotte Hornets head into their April 9, 2025 road game against the Toronto Raptors with a 19-57 record and little left to salvage in a season that has been characterized by persistent struggles on both ends of the floor, prolonged losing streaks, and a search for identity amid a youth-driven rebuild. With LaMelo Ball sidelined for much of the season and veteran support thinned by trades and injuries, the Hornets have relied heavily on their younger talent, particularly rookie forward Brandon Miller, who has shown flashes of offensive brilliance and two-way potential despite the team’s overall inconsistency. Miller, alongside fellow young prospects like Nick Smith Jr. and Mark Williams, has been afforded valuable developmental minutes, though translating those opportunities into wins has proven elusive. Offensively, Charlotte has been one of the least efficient teams in the NBA, averaging just 105.6 points per game, struggling with ball movement, three-point shooting, and transition execution. Their offensive possessions often stagnate in the halfcourt, and without a true lead facilitator consistently available, the team has had difficulty establishing rhythm or imposing pace. Defensively, the Hornets have fared only slightly better, giving up 113.6 points per game, with frequent lapses in perimeter rotations, poor help defense, and an inability to consistently protect the rim. On the road, their vulnerabilities have been further exposed, as they’ve covered the spread in only 3 of their last 10 away contests, frequently falling behind early and lacking the firepower or discipline to mount effective comebacks.

Against a Toronto team that plays with greater cohesion at home, the Hornets will need a focused and efficient start, minimizing turnovers and maximizing fast break chances to offset their halfcourt weaknesses. Second-chance points will be critical as well, with Charlotte needing to crash the boards aggressively and find supplemental scoring beyond Miller and their core contributors. Defensively, containing Toronto’s downhill attacks and limiting touches for RJ Barrett in isolation or post-up situations will be a key test, especially given the Hornets’ struggles against strong wing scorers. Despite the bleak record, this game still carries value for Charlotte as a developmental showcase and a mental test of their competitiveness. With pressure off and a long offseason looming, head coach Steve Clifford can continue to experiment with different lineups and gauge how well his young players respond to adversity, especially in a hostile road environment. A strong showing—even in defeat—would provide a much-needed confidence boost and help shape offseason evaluations for both the coaching staff and front office. The challenge for the Hornets is not only executing against a better-rested, more balanced Raptors team but also finding the internal motivation to compete at a high level in a game with no playoff implications. If they can channel that energy into disciplined play and capitalize on Toronto’s own defensive vulnerabilities, the Hornets have an outside shot at pulling off a road upset and finally breaking a pattern that’s defined too much of their 2024–25 season.