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The Hornets have languished for much of the past decade, struggling to find their way in an ever-changing Eastern Conference.
Times they are a-changin' as of late, with LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel pushing Charlotte on the brink of postseason contention in 2025-26.
The Hornets qualified for the play-in game for the second time in five seasons. Their 44-38 mark is the joint-seventh-best record in franchise history, bumping shoulders with some of the franchise's most memorable campaigns.
Charlotte has had a handful of notable postseason runs over the course of its history. Here's a look back at the Hornets' last playoff appearance.
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Last time Hornets made NBA playoffs
The Hornets last qualified for the postseason in 2016, posting a 48-34 record to finish sixth in the Eastern Conference.
Anchored by Kemba Walker and a motley crew of talented -- if understated -- role players, Charlotte posted its fifth-highest win total in franchise history.
Walker was the standout, leading the roster in points (20.9) and steals (1.6).
Helmed by Steve Clifford, the Hornets took on Southeast Division rivals the Heat in the first round of postseason play. Charlotte actually finished the year with the same record as Miami. However, the Heat were awarded home-court advantage on account of the tiebreakers.
The Hornets and Miami clashed like pugilists under the playoff spotlight, locking horns across a fierce seven-game set. Charlotte dropped its first two games before rolling off three straight wins to push the Heat to the brink.
Miami took control in the final two contests, notching a seven-point win after Dwyane Wade turned back the clock in Game 6. Game 7 was far less dramatic -- the Heat cruised to a 33-point victory, bringing the Hornets' campaign to a swift and sudden end.
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2015-16 Hornets roster
Charlotte's 2015-16 roster featured Walker and a ragtag group of role players who emerged as steady performers throughout the campaign. Nicolas Batum was the team's primary playmaker and lead on-ball defender, taking pride in duels with the league's finest wings. Jeremy Lin garnered Sixth Man of the Year consideration while Marvin Williams, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Cody Zeller and Frank Kaminsky were former lottery picks who cemented themselves in Clifford's rotation.
Here's a look at the players that made up Charlotte's 2015-16 roster:
| Player | PPG | Year |
| Nicolas Batum | 14.9 | 7 |
| Troy Daniels | 5.6 | 2 |
| Jorge Gutierrez | 1.8 | 2 |
| PJ Hairston | 6.0 | 1 |
| Tyler Hansbrough | 2.4 | 6 |
| Aaron Harrison | 0.9 | R |
| Spencer Hawes | 6.0 | 8 |
| Al Jefferson | 12.0 | 11 |
| Frank Kaminsky | 7.5 | R |
| Michael Kidd-Gilchrist | 12.7 | 3 |
| Jeremy Lamb | 8.8 | 3 |
| Courtney Lee | 8.9 | 7 |
| Jeremy Lin | 11.7 | 5 |
| Brian Roberts | 4.8 | 3 |
| Kemba Walker | 20.9 | 4 |
| Marvin Williams | 11.7 | 10 |
| Cody Zeller | 8.7 | 2 |
SN AWARDS: Victor Wembanyama Player of the Year | Joe Mazzulla Coach of the Year
Who coached the Hornets in 2016?
Steve Clifford held the reins of Charlotte's roster for the 2015-16 season. He was in the third year of his term as Hornets head coach, having been hired ahead of the 2013-14 season after spending more than a decade as an NBA assistant.
Known for his defensive exploits, Clifford's side held opposition teams to just 100.7 points per game, the ninth-best mark in the league.
Clifford has the third-most wins in franchise history, going 153-175 (.466) in 328 games. He was sacked in 2018, re-hired in 2022. Following the 2023-24 season, he stepped down as head coach, moving into an advisory role with the front office.
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