What Are the Hornets Playoff Chances?
The Charlotte Hornets playoff chances are a long shot at the start of the season, based on odds from NC sportsbooks.
| ⭐ Hornets Playoff Chances: | +1000 (9.1% chance) |
| 🥇 Hornets Win Southeast Division: | +15000 (0.7% chance) |
| 🏀 Hornets Win Eastern Conference: | +50000 (0.2% chance) |
| 🏆 Hornets Win Finals: | +100000 (0.9% chance) |
| ✍️ Last Verified: | October 17, 2025 |
From making a playoff appearance to contending for the NBA Championship, each milestone offers insight into the team’s performance expectations this year. The odds below paint a picture of what fans can anticipate as the Hornets strive to surpass their listed predictions.
Do the Hornets Have a Chance to Make the NBA Playoffs?
Yes, the season is just getting underway, and every NBA team, including the Hornets, has a shot at the playoffs. Early odds give Charlotte a 9.1% chance to reach the postseason for the first time since 2016.
🎁 MORE: NC Sports Betting Bonus
Charlotte Hornets Playoff Chances: Key Updates October 2025
Below are the most notable transactions and personnel news that could impact the Hornets' playoff chances this season:
- 📅 July 13, 2025: Charlotte signs G Spencer Dinwiddie and F Mason Plumlee. Re-signs G Tre Mann.
- 📅 June 29, 2025: The Hornets acquire draft rights to F Liam NcNeeley, a No. 29 pick in the 2025 draft, a 2029 first-round draft pick and G Vasa Micic from Phoenix in exchange for C Mark Williams and a second-round pick swap in the 2026 draft.
- 📅 June 29, 2025: Charlotte acquires G Collin Sexton and a 2030 second-round pick from Utah in exchange for C Jusuf Nurkić.
Key Contributors Toward Carolina Hornets Playoff Chances
The Hornets are anchored by the dynamic backcourt duo of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. Player development remains the top priority for Charlotte in 2025–26, with established veterans Collin Sexton and Pat Connaughton, along with free agents Spencer Dinwiddie and Mason Plumlee, brought in to provide stability and leadership around the young core.
Charlotte bolstered its roster through the 2025 NBA Draft, led by Duke sharpshooter Kon Knueppel, whose perimeter scoring should give the offense a lift. The Hornets also added Liam McNeeley, Sion James, and Ryan Kalkbrenner, bringing in versatile young talent to deepen the rotation and support the team’s developing foundation.
Where Can I Bet on the Hornets to Make the Playoffs?
Legal sports betting in North Carolina is available at three tribal casinos that have retail sportsbooks on the premises:
As of March 11, NBA betting is also available in North Carolina. The state's sports betting law permits up to 11 online North Carolina sports betting apps.
Where Do the Hornets Rank in the Eastern Conference Playoff Picture?
The Charlotte Hornets finished last season 14th out of 15 teams in the Eastern Conference and second to last in the Southeast Division, ahead of only the Washington Wizards by two games. This season, they’ll look to bounce back with a roster that blends emerging young talent and experienced veterans.
Where Do the Hornets Rank to Win the 2025 NBA Championship?
The Charlotte Hornets enter the season with the third-longest odds to win the NBA Finals. These numbers will fluctuate as the season unfolds and may differ slightly across sportsbooks.
Hornets Playoff Picture Postseason Outlook & Predictions
The playoff outlook remains challenging for the Charlotte Hornets, who haven’t reached the postseason since 2016. Their 2025–26 campaign will center on player development and maintaining good health, especially for key contributors. Stronger leadership and improved team chemistry will also be crucial if Charlotte hopes to take a meaningful step forward this season.
Who to Root for if You’re a Charlotte Hornets Fan?
Of course, you will root for the Charlotte Hornets, but Hornets fans can also find some fun cheering for teams that face their divisional rivals, like the Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, and Orlando Magic, who Charlotte played in last season’s playoffs
Carolina Hornets Playoff Chances FAQs
The Charlotte Hornets’ odds to make the playoffs sit at +1000, translating to a 9.1% chance as the season tips off. These odds will shift throughout the season depending on roster news and team wins. The Hornets have not made the playoffs since 2016.
The Charlotte Hornets are not in the playoffs, as the season is just getting started. Sportsbooks have the Hornets at -2000 to miss the playoffs, translating to a 95.2% chance. It will be an uphill battle, but if Charlotte can string together wins, they could fight their way into playoff contention.
We do not know yet. The Charlotte Hornets have failed to make the playoffs since 2016, but with a new season just tipping off, Charlotte has a chance to climb its way into playoff contention. Early odds have the Hornets at +1000 to make the playoffs.
Author
Robert B. Hayek has been writing about sports for over a decade and is currently a member of the Gambling.com Group team. In his spare time, he runs the largest sports meetup group in Orange County, CA, actively participating in every sport imaginable. He is also a published author of five thriller novels, all available on Amazon.
