The Charlotte Hornets hosted the Portland Trail Blazers in a 1 P.M. NBA game on Saturday, aiming to extend their winning streak to four after back-to-back victories over the Wizards, Bulls, and Pacers. Observing the action courtside was legendary coach Roy Williams, a well-known figure in North Carolina basketball history. While Williams often appears at Hornets games to support former University of North Carolina players, this time he was there to watch Coby White make his home debut in Charlotte.
Coby White Shines Off the Bench with Strong Performance
White responded to the coach’s support with an impressive showing, scoring 20 points in 21 minutes and contributing three rebounds and one assist. He was the second-highest scorer on the Hornets, behind Brandon Miller, who led with 26 points. White spoke about Williams’ presence during a halftime interview, saying,
“It’s a blessing, him being at my first home game.”
Hornets Finish Strong to Secure a Convincing Win
The Hornets saved their best effort for the final quarter, posting 35 points, their highest-scoring period of the game, to pull away for a 16-point victory. The Trail Blazers played without All-Star Deni Avdija, which added to Charlotte’s advantage. With this win, the Hornets moved back into ninth place in the Eastern Conference, level with the Atlanta Hawks but holding the tie-breaker in head-to-head competition. Charlotte remains just one and a half games behind the Miami Heat for the eighth seed, though the standings may shift following Miami’s game against the Houston Rockets that afternoon.
Looking Ahead: Challenging Matchups on the Horizon
Charlotte will now prepare for upcoming games against the Dallas Mavericks, followed by a second-night contest with the Boston Celtics as part of a back-to-back schedule. These matchups will be crucial for the Hornets as they seek to maintain their position in the playoff chase.
🎙️ Coby White: "We gotta continue to close out, contain the ball… we only gave up 43 that half, so that's good. Down the stretch, Brandon (Miller) got hot and made some good plays."
🎙️ On Roy Williams being in attendance: "It's a blessing, him being at my first home game." pic.twitter.com/A0t5BZgkI9
— r/CharlotteHornets (@HornetsReddit) February 28, 2026
