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Stock up, stock down: Evaluating the Hornets loss to Pelicans

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 12:41 GMT by Sports Illustrated

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Stock Up, Stock Down: Evaluating the Hornets’ Loss to the Pelicans

The Charlotte Hornets fell short of a win in a closely contested 107‑104 battle against the New Orleans Pelicans, leaving the franchise on the wrong side of a 1‑0 start to a new season of uncertainty. The game—played on a chilly Saturday night at the Gainbridge Arena—proved to be a showcase of the Hornets’ strengths and glaring weaknesses, and it offered a snapshot of what the coaching staff will need to address in the weeks ahead.

A Game of Momentum Swings

The Pelicans opened the game with a balanced attack, combining a steady three‑point barrage from Jaxson Hayes with a bruising inside presence from Zion Williamson. The Hornets answered in the first quarter with a surge of 15 points, led by Jalen Green’s slick scoring and a 12‑point run from Terry Rozier. At the end of the first, the Hornets trailed only 30‑27, thanks largely to a clutch 3‑pointer from Green in the final minute.

However, the momentum shifted in the second quarter when the Pelicans tightened their defense and forced a series of turnovers. New Orleans’ guard duo of Tyler Herro and Kevin Huerter ran the offense at a high tempo, while their front line—composed of Brandon Ingram and PJ Washington—contested every shot. The Hornets struggled to find rhythm, shooting only 38% from the floor and missing eight of nine attempts from beyond the arc.

A turning point came late in the third when Green was fouled on a contested dunk and sank both free‑throws, tying the game at 60‑60. Rozier added a decisive lay‑up to give the Hornets a narrow 64‑62 edge, but the Pelicans answered with a 10‑point run that pulled them into a 74‑70 lead. Charlotte’s defense, once again, faltered; they allowed a 3‑point percentage of 48% in the third quarter.

Player Performance Breakdown

Jalen Green: Green put up 31 points on 12‑of‑24 shooting, adding 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Despite a strong start, his efficiency slipped to 48% in the fourth quarter, as he missed several high‑percentage opportunities. Green’s play showcased his elite athleticism but also underscored a need for more disciplined shot selection when the game is on the line.

Terry Rozier: Rozier finished with 18 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals. He was the primary playmaker, but the Hornets’ offense as a whole relied heavily on him. His ability to create off the dribble and drive to the rim will be crucial in the upcoming fixtures.

Zion Williamson: Williamson, the star of the Pelicans, recorded 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks. His presence inside forced the Hornets to look beyond the perimeter, a challenge that Charlotte’s defense has struggled to manage in the past season.

Jalen Johnson (Hornets): Johnson posted 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. While he showed flashes of his defensive instincts, his offensive contributions were limited by a lack of ball‑handling confidence in high‑pressure situations.

Brandon Ingram (Pelicans): Ingram had a solid outing with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. His ability to stretch the floor and create open looks for the Pelicans’ interior players was key to the team's success.

Defensive Lapses and Coaching Adjustments

The Hornets’ defensive scheme—a mix of zone pressure and man‑to‑man traps—fell apart in critical moments. Charlotte committed 17 turnovers, the most of any team in the game, and surrendered a 48% success rate from three. The coaching staff will likely revisit the defensive sets, especially on transition and perimeter shooting.

Head coach Monty Williams acknowledged the loss in post‑game remarks, noting, “We had a lot of opportunities and we were not smart enough to take them.” He also emphasized the importance of mental toughness and ball security as the team moves forward.

Williams is expected to make adjustments to the defensive rotations and to incorporate a more aggressive approach to contesting three‑point attempts. Early indications suggest a potential shift toward a full‑court press, designed to force turnovers and reduce the Pelicans’ inside presence.

Off‑Court Implications

The Hornets are also grappling with roster uncertainty. While Green remains a cornerstone, the team has yet to settle on a consistent rotation. The recent acquisition of Terry Rozier adds experience, but the chemistry between him and Green is still developing. Additionally, the franchise has announced plans to re‑evaluate its front‑court lineup, potentially bringing in a new power forward or center to better support the backcourt talent.

There are also ongoing discussions about the team's financial strategy. The "Stock Up, Stock Down" narrative reflects both optimism about the Hornets’ potential and caution regarding the volatility of roster construction. Analysts predict that the Hornets’ next trade deadline will be a pivotal moment in determining whether the team can turn a promising start into a competitive season.

Takeaway: A Season of Adjustment

The loss to the Pelicans serves as a cautionary tale for the Hornets. Their offensive firepower—evident in Jalen Green’s scoring outbursts—was undermined by a shaky defense and an overreliance on a single point guard. The team’s performance in the game mirrored the broader challenges facing the franchise: a need for defensive consistency, better ball movement, and the integration of new players into a cohesive system.

Moving forward, the Hornets will be tested by the Pelicans’ subsequent series, as well as by a tough schedule that will push their defensive systems to the limit. Monty Williams’ ability to refine the coaching strategies and build a resilient, defensively sound unit will be essential to convert a 1‑0 record into a winning trajectory.

In the coming weeks, fans will watch closely as the Hornets adjust their rotation, fine‑tune their defense, and determine whether the "stock up" of talent can offset the "stock down" of execution. The next game will be a litmus test for the coaching staff’s willingness to adapt and for the players’ commitment to improving the team’s fundamentals. The Hornets’ journey from a promising start to a championship contender will hinge on their capacity to learn from this loss and emerge stronger in the high‑stakes environment of the NBA.