Washington Wizards at Charlotte Hornets
Matchup preview
Last season: too early in this one to read much from it
Matchup odds
No moneylines yet.
Who wins?
Season leaders, per game
CHA
WAS20.4PointsCHA20.2
WAS11.1ReboundsCHA8.7
- WAS4.6AssistsCHA5.3
WAS1.3StealsCHA1.4
WAS2.0BlocksCHA1.5
| WAS | Stat | CHA |
|---|---|---|
| 17–65 | Record | 44–38 |
| Offense | ||
| -11.5, 30th in the league | Net rating | 8th in the league, 4.9(better) |
| 108.8, 29th in the league | Offensive rating | 7th in the league, 116.6(better) |
| 103.4, 6th in the league | Pace | 24th in the league, 99.1 |
| 53.5, 21st in the league | eFG% | 12th in the league, 55.2(better) |
| 13.2, 26th in the league | TOV% | 24th in the league, 12.8(better) |
| 24.1, 21st in the league | OREB% | 4th in the league, 30.5(better) |
| 0.235, 26th in the league | FT rate | 23rd in the league, 0.244(better) |
| Defense | ||
| 120.3, 30th in the league | Defensive rating | 10th in the league, 111.7(better) |
| 56.3, 27th in the league | Opp. eFG% | 7th in the league, 54.0(better) |
| 11.2, 24th in the league | Opp. TOV% | 23rd in the league, 11.2 |
| 70.2, 30th in the league | DREB% | 3rd in the league, 76.6(better) |
| 0.292, 28th in the league | Opp. FT rate | 2nd in the league, 0.232(better) |
This season's meetings
They have not met this season.
Injury report
Washington Wizards
- Anthony DavisProbable· back Oct 1Cost -2.2 per 100
Report note
Davis was limited to only 20 regular-season appearances with Dallas last season due to health issues, but Dawkins said the 10-time All-Star is currently in a "great frame of mind." Washington also views Davis as a starting-caliber center in a revamped frontcourt featuring Alex Sarr and Deandre Ayton. Davis and the Wizards reportedly postponed contract extension discussions earlier this offseason, but Dawkins declined to specifically address those talks Thursday.
- Alexandre SarrQuestionable· back Oct 1Cost -1.6 per 100
Report note
General manager Will Dawkins said Thursday that Sarr is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, so the limited workload to begin camp appears precautionary. Sarr underwent surgery in mid-June, and his progress during the preseason will be worth monitoring, but there currently doesn't appear to be significant concern about his availability for Opening Night.
- Trae YoungProbable· back Oct 1Cost -1.4 per 100
Report note
With Young limited to 15 regular-season appearances in 2025-26 due to injuries, any sign of offseason rehab progress is notable. This report points to active conditioning work after his quadriceps issue, though it does not provide a return timeline or formal clearance update ahead of training camp for Washington.
- Jamir WatkinsOut· back Apr 1Cost -1.0 per 100
Report note
Watkins, a two-way player for the Wizards, suffered the injury during the Summer League. Although Washington has yet to offer a timetable for a return, a typical recovery time for the procedure is approximately 9-to-12 months. That leaves Watkins in serious jeopardy of missing most, if not all, of the 2026-27 season, and it remains to be seen if the team will continue keeping him around on a two-way roster spot while he's injured.
Charlotte Hornets
- Brandon MillerQuestionable· back Oct 1Cost -3.0 per 100
Report note
With Miller coming off May surgery to address left shoulder instability, any rehab update is notable as Charlotte prepares for training camp. "It's going good, going good," Miller said. "I'm getting stronger. That's all I can ask for. The stronger I get, the more mobile I am with the shoulder and that is the most important thing." He wasn't ready to commit to a timetable, and he's still awaiting full clearance for basketball activities with training camp a little over a month away.
- Kon KnueppelQuestionable· back Oct 21Cost -2.9 per 100
Report note
The Hornets say that Knueppel will be re-evaluated during the first week of the regular season, putting his status for Opening Night on Oct. 21 in jeopardy. Knueppel is coming off a dominant rookie campaign with regular-season averages of 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists on 47.5 percent shooting from the field.
- Grant WilliamsQuestionable· back Oct 21Cost -1.5 per 100
Report note
Williams will be re-evaluated the first week of the regular season, putting his status for Opening Night in the air. Williams will have a difficult path to minutes this season as he competes with the likes of Naz Reid, Royce O'Neale and Tidjane Salaun.
- PJ HallQuestionable· back Oct 1
Report note
Hall sustained the injury in the G League Greensboro Swarm's playoff win over the Maine Celtics on March 31. The big man appeared in 19 regular-season games (two starts) with Charlotte, averaging 4.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per contest. He's signed to a two-way deal with the Hornets and is slated to return next season.
- Rob DillinghamProbable· back Oct 1
Report note
Dillingham, the 2024 No. 8 overall pick, has appeared in 114 regular-season games for the Timberwolves and Bulls throughout his career, averaging 5.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 13.0 minutes per contest. It's unknown what kind of role he will have in Charlotte, though it may not be a meaningful one, considering the Hornets have plenty of backcourt depth. Dillingham had minor surgery in April to remove a ganglion cyst but is expected to be ready to go to begin the 2026-27 campaign.
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | Last 5 | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31.3 | 20.4 | 11.1 | 2.8 | 16.4 / 10.0 / 2.2 | 1.2 | |
| 29.0 | 14.8 | 5.1 | 4.5 | 12.0 / 2.2 / 1.4 | -0.9 | |
| Carlton Carrington | 27.7 | 10.7 | 3.4 | 4.6 | 17.8 / 2.2 / 5.4 | -5.0 |
| 27.2 | 12.5 | 8.0 | 0.8 | 13.8 / 5.4 / 0.6 | -0.7 | |
| 27.2 | 16.3 | 7.4 | 2.7 | 8.8 / 5.2 / 2.6 | 0.6 |
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | Last 5 | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31.4 | 18.5 | 5.3 | 3.4 | 13.6 / 4.6 / 3.6 | 2.2 | |
| 30.3 | 20.2 | 4.9 | 3.3 | 18.0 / 3.6 / 2.0 | 2.6 | |
| 28.8 | 16.5 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 9.0 / 3.4 / 1.4 | 1.2 | |
| 28.3 | 9.8 | 4.8 | 2.7 | 6.8 / 3.4 / 1.2 | -2.1 | |
| 26.0 | 13.6 | 6.2 | 2.2 | 13.8 / 5.4 / 1.6 | 1.3 |
Last five games
| Date | Opponent | Result | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 12 | Lost 117–130 | – | – | |
| Apr 10 | Lost 117–140 | – | – | |
| Apr 9 | Lost 108–119 | – | – | |
| Apr 7 | Lost 98–129 | – | – | |
| Apr 5 | Lost 115–121 | – | – |
| Date | Opponent | Result | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17 | Lost 90–121 | – | – | |
| Apr 14 | Won 127–126 | – | – | |
| Apr 12 | Won 110–96 | – | – | |
| Apr 10 | Lost 100–118 | – | – | |
| Apr 7 | Lost 102–113 | – | – |
Standings
Full standingsMatchups by position
What each defense allows per game to guards, forwards and centers, against the league average. Rank 1 allows the most.
| Player | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guards | 47.5 (lg 49.8) , 25th in the league | 13.0 (lg 13.6) , 23rd in the league | 14.3 (lg 14.2) , 15th in the league |
| Forwards | 36.7 (lg 37.4) , 16th in the league | 13.6 (lg 15.3) , 29th in the league | 6.6 (lg 7.0) , 24th in the league |
| Centers | 10.0 (lg 10.7) , 21st in the league | 6.2 (lg 7.5) , 29th in the league | 1.8 (lg 1.9) , 17th in the league |
| Player | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guards | 53.2 (lg 49.8) , 3rd in the league | 14.4 (lg 13.6) , 8th in the league | 16.2 (lg 14.2) , 1st in the league |
| Forwards | 40.5 (lg 37.4) , 3rd in the league | 17.1 (lg 15.3) , 3rd in the league | 7.7 (lg 7.0) , 6th in the league |
| Centers | 11.4 (lg 10.7) , 9th in the league | 8.1 (lg 7.5) , 6th in the league | 1.8 (lg 1.9) , 17th in the league |
The box score appears at tip-off.