The Charlotte Hornets are walking into Ball Arena tonight with a vibe that's, honestly, a bit confusing for anyone still stuck in 2024. If you haven’t been paying close attention to the 2025-26 season, this roster looks wildly different. We aren't just talking about a few bench pieces; the hornets starting lineup tonight against the Denver Nuggets features a mix of high-ceiling rookies and a "load management" strategy for their biggest star that would make the old-school guys cringe.
Let’s get into the actual names.
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Charles Lee has been tinkering with this group all year. He’s basically trying to find the sweet spot between winning now and not breaking LaMelo Ball. Because of that, the starting five you’ll see at tip-off might not actually include their best player, despite him being healthy. It's a weird strategy, but it's been working.
The Projected Hornets Starting Lineup Tonight
Based on the latest rotations and the way Charles Lee has handled his personnel during this West Coast swing, here is the group expected to take the floor first in Denver:
- PG: Sion James
- SG: Kon Knueppel
- SF: Brandon Miller
- PF: Miles Bridges
- C: Ryan Kalkbrenner
Wait, no LaMelo? Yeah, it’s a thing.
Why LaMelo Ball is Coming Off the Bench
If you're looking for the hornets starting lineup tonight and panicking because LaMelo isn't in it, don't worry. He's not hurt. Well, not currently hurt. After years of ankle issues, the Hornets' front office and Coach Lee decided to implement a strict minutes-restriction protocol this season.
He’s been playing about 27 minutes a night. Coming off the bench allows him to completely dominate the second unit and stay fresh for the fourth quarter. It’s a bold move. Fans hate it when they buy tickets to see a superstar and he's sitting on the pine for the first six minutes, but the results speak for themselves. Just two nights ago against the Lakers, LaMelo came in and dropped 30 points with nine 3-pointers. He’s essentially a super-sub right now.
The Kon Knueppel Factor
If you haven't seen Kon Knueppel play yet, you’re missing out. The rookie out of Duke has been a revelation. Most people thought he’d be a floor-spacer, but he’s currently a top contender for Rookie of the Year, averaging over 19 points a game.
He’s starting at the two-guard spot and his chemistry with Brandon Miller is legit. They’re basically two 6'7" wings who can both shoot over 40% from deep. It makes the Hornets incredibly hard to guard because you can’t really "help" off either of them.
Handling the Denver Altitude and Injuries
Denver is a house of horrors for most teams because of the thin air, but the Hornets have a bit of an advantage tonight: the Nuggets are beat up. Nikola Jokic is out with a knee injury. Aaron Gordon was just ruled out with a hamstring issue.
This means Ryan Kalkbrenner, the 7'1" rookie center from Creighton, doesn't have to deal with the "Joker" tonight. That’s a massive break. Kalkbrenner has been solid as a rim protector, but he’s still learning the ropes of NBA positioning. Facing a Jokic-less Nuggets team gives him a chance to actually dominate the glass for once.
What to Watch for in the Rotation
Keep an eye on Tre Mann and Collin Sexton. Since the Hornets traded for Sexton, the backcourt has become a bit crowded. Sexton has been playing a "microwave" role, similar to LaMelo, which gives Charlotte 48 minutes of high-level guard play.
Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller are the engines here. Miller is taking that "leap" everyone predicted, looking more like a primary playmaker every week. He’s not just a shooter anymore; his handle has tightened up significantly since his rookie year.
Key Matchup: Brandon Miller vs. Peyton Watson
With Denver missing their big guns, Peyton Watson is going to have to carry a heavy load defensively. Seeing how Miller handles a long, athletic defender like Watson will tell us a lot about whether Charlotte can actually steal this game on the road.
Actionable Insights for Tonight
- Check the 2nd Quarter: Watch for when LaMelo Ball enters the game. The Hornets usually go on their biggest runs when he's facing Denver's backup guards.
- The Kalkbrenner Test: See if Kalkbrenner can stay out of foul trouble. Without Mason Plumlee (who is out after surgery), the Hornets are thin at center. If Kalkbrenner picks up two quick ones, Miles Bridges might have to play small-ball five, which is a recipe for disaster in Denver.
- Knueppel’s Volume: If Kon gets five or more threes up in the first half, the Hornets usually win. His gravity opens up everything for Miller’s drives.
The game tips off at 8:00 PM ET at Ball Arena. Even though they’re the road team, the Hornets are actually slight favorites in some spots because of the Nuggets' injury report. It's a weird time to be a Charlotte fan, but for the first time in a while, it's actually fun.