Hornets Coach Charles Lee Reflects on Season, LaMelo's Growth, and Playoff Loss

Lee discusses the team's progress, LaMelo Ball's next steps, and what was missing in the playoff defeat.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 5:10pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, geometric painting in bold colors depicting a basketball game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes representing the dynamic action on the court.A cubist interpretation of the Hornets' hard-fought playoff battle, capturing the team's resilience and determination to reach new heights.Charlotte Today

In his final press conference of the season, Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee reflected on the team's growth, LaMelo Ball's development, and the emotions after their playoff loss to the Orlando Magic. Lee praised the team's resiliency and commitment to improvement, while noting areas where LaMelo and the squad need to take the next step to become an elite NBA contender.

Why it matters

The Hornets' season-ending exit interviews provide valuable insight into the team's trajectory and the coaching staff's perspective on the squad's strengths, weaknesses, and plans for the offseason. As a young, up-and-coming team led by star point guard LaMelo Ball, the Hornets' continued progress is crucial for the franchise's long-term success.

The details

In his final press conference, Hornets head coach Charles Lee highlighted the team's significant progress this season, noting the players' increased commitment to training and competing. Lee praised LaMelo Ball's growth, particularly on the defensive end, while emphasizing the need for him to better handle physicality. The coach also pointed to the team's resiliency in high-pressure situations as a key positive, though he acknowledged defensive lapses in the playoff loss to the Magic.

  • The Hornets held their exit interviews roughly 12 hours after their playoff loss to the Orlando Magic.

The players

Charles Lee

The head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, who led the team to a playoff appearance in his first season at the helm.

LaMelo Ball

The star point guard of the Charlotte Hornets, who made significant strides in his game this season and is seen as a cornerstone of the franchise's future.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“First thing that comes to mind is progress was made. The standards and commitment level to try to compete and try to be together rose significantly. I think that the players, in the offseason, set out to train harder, to train together a lot more, and they had a mission coming into this season that they wanted to win more games and wanted to get better, and I think they did that.”

— Charles Lee, Head Coach, Charlotte Hornets

“Fired up. Fired up and fueled to get better as a coach. Fired up and fueled for our team to work even harder this summer. If you're not the last team standing, what you did might have been good, but not good enough. I think the goals and standards around here are really high, so we want to push them forward.”

— Charles Lee, Head Coach, Charlotte Hornets

“He's got to do it again this offseason and elevate everything he did because what he did was great. 72 games, a ton in a row. He helped us in a lot of different ways. Defensively, the level at which he played consistently was much improved. Offensively, we saw a ton of big moments from him. I think the next step for him is being able to handle physicality, and I think that's a global thing for our team.”

— Charles Lee, Head Coach, Charlotte Hornets

What’s next

The Hornets and their coaching staff will now turn their attention to the offseason, focusing on player development, roster improvements, and preparing for the 2023-24 campaign.

The takeaway

Despite the playoff defeat, the Hornets' 2022-23 season represented significant progress for the franchise, with head coach Charles Lee highlighting the team's improved commitment, resiliency, and the continued growth of star player LaMelo Ball. The Hornets are poised to build on this foundation and take the next step towards becoming an elite NBA contender.