2001–02 Charlotte Hornets season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Charlotte Hornets 2002 44 38 Central 2 4 Paul Silas Bob Bass George Shinn Ray Wooldridge Charlotte Coliseum Conference semifinals(lost to Nets 1–4) CHH WJZY WBT Charlotte Bobcats 2005 The 2001–02 Charlotte Hornets season was the 14th, and final season for the original Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association. Charlotte Hornets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season During the off-season, the Hornets acquired George Lynch and Robert Traylor from the Philadelphia 76ers in a three-team trade, Associated Press NBA: Coleman Returns to Sixers; Hornets Get Lynch ESPN October 26, 2001 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2001/1025/1268822.html October 23, 2024 Associated Press Plus: Pro Basketball: Coleman Returns to the 76ers in Trade The New York Times October 26, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/26/sports/plus-pro-basketball-coleman-returns-to-the-76ers-in-trade.html June 3, 2022 Associated Press 76ers Get Coleman in Three-Team Deal Los Angeles Times October 26, 2001 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-oct-26-sp-61868-story.html October 20, 2022 and signed free agents Stacey Augmon, Augmon Signs with Hornets United Press International July 25, 2001 https://www.upi.com/Archives/2001/07/25/Augmon-signs-with-Hornets/7804996033600/ October 20, 2022 Bryce Drew and three-point specialist Matt Bullard. Brown Goes to Miami Orlando Sentinel August 14, 2001 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2001/08/14/brown-goes-to-miami-2/ November 8, 2024 Wise Mike Pro Basketball: Jordan Against the New Generation, Lakers Against the World The New York Times October 30, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/30/sports/pro-basketball-jordan-against-the-new-generation-lakers-against-the-world.html July 16, 2022 Regular season The Hornets struggled playing around .500 in winning percentage in the first half of the regular season, holding a 23–25 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 7, 2002 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=7&year=2002 September 12, 2022 Jamal Mashburn only played just 40 games due to a lower abdominal strain, Hornets' Mashburn to Be Re-Examined Midland Daily News January 1, 2002 https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Hornets-Mashburn-to-Be-Re-Examined-7085387.php November 26, 2022 Ticker NBA: Hornets F Jamal Mashburn Makes Successful Return Monday ESPN February 19, 2002 https://www.espn.com/nba/newswire/2002/20020220/01301380.html July 27, 2021 Fryer Jenna Headache of a Series South Coast Today May 11, 2002 https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/sports/2002/05/11/headache-series/50366214007/ October 20, 2022 and was replaced with second-year forward Lee Nailon as the team's starting small forward. Despite losing Mashburn, the Hornets posted a seven-game winning streak in March, and finished in second place in the Central Division with a 44–38 record, earning the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, and qualifying for their seventh NBA playoff appearance. 2001–02 Charlotte Hornets Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/2002_games.html June 26, 2021 Mashburn averaged 21.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, while Baron Davis continued to show improvement, averaging 18.1 points, 8.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game, and leading the Hornets with 170 three-point field goals, and David Wesley provided the team with 14.2 points and 3.5 assists per game. In addition, Elden Campbell contributed 13.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, while Nailon provided with 10.8 points per game, and P.J. Brown averaged 8.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. Off the bench, second-year center Jamaal Magloire averaged 8.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while Augmon contributed 4.6 points per game, and Lynch provided with 3.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, but only played just 45 games due to injury. 2001–02 Charlotte Hornets Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/2002.html June 26, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Davis was selected for the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was his first ever All-Star appearance. NBA All-Star Game Rosters United Press International February 8, 2002 https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/02/08/NBA-All-Star-game-rosters/6931013144400/ October 23, 2024 NBA.com Staff 2002 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-2002 May 4, 2023 2002 NBA All-Star Game: West 135, East 120 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2002.html November 28, 2021 Meanwhile, Nailon was selected for the NBA Rookie Challenge Game, as a member of the Sophomores team. Rookie Challenge Today The Daily Gazette February 9, 2002 D3 https://books.google.com/books?id=5XIhAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA19&dq=2002+nba+rookie+challenge+morris+peterson&article_id=2443,2136771&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjS0d-e76uQAxXsnCYFHR1SB4c4ChDoAXoECA4QAw#v=onepage&q&f=false October 17, 2025 2002 NBA Rising Stars: Rookies 103, Sophomores 97 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2002_rookie.html October 17, 2025 Nailon also finished tied in 16th place in Most Improved Player voting. 2001–02 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com//awards/awards_2002.html September 30, 2026 The Hornets' home-game attendance continued to decrease as the team finished last in the NBA, with an attendance of 462,738 at the Charlotte Coliseum during the regular season, which was 29th in the league. 2001–02 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2002.html November 6, 2024 The team also posted a better 23–18 road record than their 21–20 record at home. Broussard Chris Pro Basketball: Hornets Face Home-Court Disadvantage The New York Times May 9, 2002 https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/09/sports/pro-basketball-hornets-face-home-court-disadvantage.html June 11, 2022 The Hornets' low attendance was a stark contrast to their earlier years in Charlotte, in which they led the league in home-game attendance eight times in the franchise's first nine seasons in the NBA (their 1988–89 inaugural season, and the 1990–91 to 1996–97 seasons). NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 2002 NBA playoffs, the Hornets faced off against the 5th–seeded Orlando Magic, a team that featured All-Star guard Tracy McGrady, second-year star Mike Miller, and Darrell Armstrong. Despite both teams finishing with the same regular-season record, the Hornets had home-court advantage in the series. The Hornets won Game 1 over the Magic at home, 80–79 at the Charlotte Coliseum, despite losing Mashburn to injury for the remainder of the playoffs, but then lost Game 2 at home in overtime, 111–103 as the Magic evened the series. 2002 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 1: Orlando Magic at Charlotte Hornets Box Score, April 20, 2002 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200204200CHH.html July 4, 2026 2002 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 2: Orlando Magic at Charlotte Hornets Box Score, April 23, 2002 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200204230CHH.html July 4, 2026 The Hornets managed to win the next two games on the road, which included a Game 4 win over the Magic at the TD Waterhouse Centre, 102–85 to win the series in four games. Associated Press N.B.A.: Roundup: Davis Leads Hornets Into Second Round The New York Times May 1, 2002 https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/01/sports/nba-roundup-davis-leads-hornets-into-second-round.html July 24, 2021 Davis and Hornets Put Magic to Rest The Washington Post May 1, 2002 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/05/01/davis-and-hornets-put-magic-to-rest/0995f0bc-dbe9-4c4a-b81f-7d0037c18c15/ June 2, 2022 2002 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Magic vs. Hornets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2002-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-magic-vs-hornets.html May 4, 2023 In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the top–seeded, and Atlantic Division champion New Jersey Nets, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard Jason Kidd, second-year star Kenyon Martin, and Keith Van Horn. The Nets took a 2–0 series lead, but the Hornets managed to win Game 3 at the Charlotte Coliseum, 115–97. 2002 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3: New Jersey Nets at Charlotte Hornets Box Score, May 9, 2002 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200205090CHH.html July 4, 2026 However, the Hornets lost the next two games, including a Game 5 road loss to the Nets at the Continental Airlines Arena, 103–95, thus losing the series in five games. Robbins Liz Pro Basketball: Nets Reach Another Milestone The New York Times May 16, 2002 https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/16/sports/pro-basketball-nets-reach-another-milestone.html July 24, 2021 Alexander Nichols Rachel No Kidding: Nets Are in East Finals The Washington Post May 16, 2002 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/05/16/no-kidding-nets-are-in-east-finals/e8c25252-d547-43c2-a77f-b3901e2e644b/ June 2, 2022 2002 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Hornets vs. Nets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2002-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-hornets-vs-nets.html May 4, 2023 The Nets would advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, but would lose to the 2-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in a four-game sweep in the 2002 NBA Finals. Associated Press Lakers Sweep Nets for Another Title The New York Times June 13, 2002 https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/13/sports/basketball/lakers-sweep-nets-for-another-title.html June 3, 2022 Brown Tim O'Neal Is a Three-Peat MVP as Lakers Finally Cut Down the Nets Los Angeles Times June 13, 2002 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-jun-13-sp-lakers13-story.html June 3, 2022 2002 NBA Finals: Nets vs. Lakers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2002-nba-finals-nets-vs-lakers.html May 4, 2023 Aftermath This was also the Hornets' final season in Charlotte, North Carolina, and their final season in which they played their home games at the Charlotte Coliseum; the team relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana, and became the New Orleans Hornets the following season. Associated Press Hornets' Move Receives Initial Approval The New York Times May 3, 2002 https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/03/sports/basketball/hornets-move-receives-initial-approval.html July 24, 2021 Associated Press NBA Allows Hornets to Move to New Orleans ESPN May 10, 2002 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2002/0510/1380961.html October 26, 2024 Teaford Elliott Hornets on Way to New Orleans Los Angeles Times May 11, 2002 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-may-11-sp-hornets11-story.html October 19, 2022 Other city candidates for the team's relocation included Louisville, Kentucky, Norfolk, Virginia, St. Louis, Missouri and Anaheim, California. Associated Press Report: Hornets to New Orleans BlueRidgeNow January 9, 2002 https://www.blueridgenow.com/story/news/2002/01/10/report-hornets-to-new-orleans/28121506007/ October 26, 2024 Associated Press NBA: Hornets Owners Pursue Relocation Efforts ESPN January 11, 2002 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2002/0110/1309480.html October 26, 2024 Associated Press Hornets Seeking Move to New Orleans The New York Times January 16, 2002 https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/16/sports/basketball/hornets-seeking-move-to-new-orleans.html July 24, 2021 Following the season, Nailon and Bullard were both released to free agency. The city of Charlotte would return to the NBA two seasons later with the expansion Charlotte Bobcats, who began play in the 2004–05 season; that franchise changed its name to the "Hornets" in 2014 after the original franchise renamed itself the "Pelicans", and also reclaimed the original Hornets' history from 1988 to 2002. As a result, the Hornets are now reckoned as having suspended operations after this season before returning as the Bobcats in 2004, while the relocated franchise is retroactively deemed as a 2002 expansion team. As of 2026, this was the final season in which the Charlotte Hornets have won an NBA playoff series. Offseason NBA draft 2001 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 16 Kirk Haston PF United States Indiana The 2001 NBA draft was the last appearance of the Charlotte Hornets in their first incarnation. Entering it, Charlotte held one first-round pick, as they had previously traded their second-round pick to the Chicago Bulls. Roster Charlotte Hornets 2001–02 #048BA6 #000000 #323290 #FFFFFF 2 Stacey Augmon G/F 6 8 205 1968–08–01 UNLV 42 P.J. Brown F/C 6 11 225 1969–10–14 Louisiana Tech 50 Matt Bullard F 6 10 215 1967–06–05 Iowa 5 Elden Campbell F/C 6 11 215 1968–07–23 Clemson 1 Baron Davis G 6 3 209 1979–04–13 UCLA 17 Bryce Drew G 6 2 185 1974–09–21 Valparaiso 35 Kirk Haston F/C 6 9 242 1979–03–10 Indiana 9 George Lynch basketball F 6 8 218 1970–09–03 North Carolina 21 Jamaal Magloire C 6 11 259 1978–05–21 Kentucky 24 Jamal Mashburn F 6 8 240 1972–11–29 Kentucky 6 Jérôme Moïso C 6 10 235 1978–06–15 UCLA 54 Lee Nailon F 6 9 238 1975–02–22 Texas Christian 34 Robert Traylor F 6 8 284 1977–02–01 Michigan 4 David Wesley G 6 0 190 1970–11–14 Baylor Paul Silas Jeff Bower Bob Donewald Jr. Brian Hill Stephen Silas Terry Kofler (trainer) https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/2002.html November 19, 2001 Regular season Season standings CHH CHH z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Playoffs Charlotte Hornets (NBA) white #0093b1 yes 2002 Total: 4–5 (home: 2–2; road: 2–3) Charlotte Hornets (NBA) #0093b1 #283A97 First Round yes yes 1 1 2 0 |- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc" | 1 | April 20 | Orlando | W 80–79 | Baron Davis (28) | P. J. Brown (15) | Baron Davis (7) | Charlotte Coliseum9,505 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc" | 2 | April 23 | Orlando | L 103–111 (OT) | Elden Campbell (27) | Elden Campbell (13) | Baron Davis (10) | Charlotte Coliseum10,323 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc" | 3 | April 27 | @ Orlando | W 110–100 (OT) | Baron Davis (33) | Baron Davis (14) | Baron Davis (10) | TD Waterhouse Centre16,754 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc" | 4 | April 30 | @ Orlando | W 102–85 | Baron Davis (28) | Baron Davis (11) | Baron Davis (10) | TD Waterhouse Centre16,254 | 3–1 Charlotte Hornets (NBA) #0093b1 #283A97 Conference semifinals yes 1 1 0 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc" | 1 | May 5 | @ New Jersey | L 93–99 | Baron Davis (23) | P. J. Brown (9) | David Wesley (7) | Continental Airlines Arena19,071 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc" | 2 | May 7 | @ New Jersey | L 88–102 | Baron Davis (21) | George Lynch (11) | Baron Davis (7) | Continental Airlines Arena20,049 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc" | 3 | May 9 | New Jersey | W 115–97 | Baron Davis (26) | George Lynch (12) | Baron Davis (8) | Charlotte Coliseum11,363 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc" | 4 | May 12 | New Jersey | L 79–89 | Baron Davis (20) | P. J. Brown (16) | Baron Davis (6) | Charlotte Coliseum13,864 | 1–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc" | 5 | May 15 | @ New Jersey | L 95–103 | Magloire, Nailon (14) | George Lynch (13) | Baron Davis (8) | Continental Airlines Arena20,049 | 1–4 |- CHH yes 2002 Player statistics Ragular season Player POS Position GP Games played GS Games starter MP Minutes played REB Rebounds AST Assists STL Steals BLK Blocks PTS Points MPG Minutes per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per gameBaron DavisPG82 82 3,318 349 698 172 47 1,484 40.5 4.3 8.5 2.1 .6 18.1Jamaal MagloireC82 8 1,549 461 31 27 86 699 18.9 5.6 .4 .3 1.0 8.5P. J. BrownC 80 80 2,563 786 107 59 78 669 32.0 9.8 1.3 .7 1.0 8.4Lee NailonSF 79 41 1,912 291 94 59 17 851 24.2 3.7 1.2 .7 .2 10.8Elden CampbellPF 77 74 2,156 530 102 60 137 1,074 28.0 6.9 1.3 .8 1.8 13.9Stacey AugmonSG 77 3 1,319 225 103 56 12 357 17.1 2.9 1.3 .7 .2 4.6David WesleySG 67 63 2,487 143 236 74 15 951 37.1 2.1 3.5 1.1 .2 14.2Robert TraylorPF 61 1 678 187 37 24 37 228 11.1 3.1 .6 .4 .6 3.7Bryce DrewPG 61 0 774 72 101 32 2 210 12.7 1.2 1.7 .5 .0 3.4George Lynch basketballSF 45 18 893 186 54 40 14 172 19.8 4.1 1.2 .9 .3 3.8Jamal MashburnSF 40 40 1,601 242 171 45 6 858 40.0 6.1 4.3 1.1 .2 21.5Matt BullardPF 31 0 350 47 16 2 2 105 11.3 1.5 .5 .1 .1 3.4Kirk HastonPF 15 0 77 20 5 0 1 26 5.1 1.3 .3 .0 .1 1.7Jérôme MoïsoC 15 0 76 25 4 3 2 16 5.1 1.7 .3 .2 .1 1.1Eldridge Recasner†SG 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Hornets only. Playoffs Player POS Position GP Games played GS Games starter MP Minutes played REB Rebounds AST Assists STL Steals BLK Blocks PTS Points MPG Minutes per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per gameBaron DavisPG9 9 401 63 71 32 5 203 44.6 7.0 7.9 3.6 .6 22.6David WesleySG9 9 377 17 31 10 2 142 41.9 1.9 3.4 1.1 .2 15.8P. J. BrownC9 9 331 86 14 6 12 92 36.8 9.6 1.6 .7 1.3 10.2Elden CampbellPF9 9 254 60 16 6 23 122 28.2 6.7 1.8 .7 2.6 13.6George Lynch basketballSF9 7 286 76 14 10 6 69 31.8 8.4 1.6 1.1 .7 7.7Lee NailonSF9 1 160 24 6 3 0 69 17.8 2.7 .7 .3 .0 7.7Stacey AugmonSG9 0 152 27 13 10 1 48 16.9 3.0 1.4 1.1 .1 5.3Jamaal MagloireC 8 0 168 45 5 0 15 98 21.0 5.6 .6 .0 1.9 12.3Robert TraylorPF 8 0 62 16 3 2 2 18 7.8 2.0 .4 .3 .3 2.3Bryce DrewPG 2 0 5 0 2 0 0 2 2.5 .0 1.0 .0 .0 1.0Kirk HastonPF 2 0 4 1 0 1 0 2 2.0 .5 .0 .5 .0 1.0Jamal MashburnSF 1 1 10 1 1 0 0 0 10.0 1.0 1.0 .0 .0 .0 Transactions June 14, 2001 Traded a 2001 2nd round draft pick (Sean Lampley was later selected) to the Chicago Bulls for Roberto Dueñas. July 24, 2001 Signed Bryce Drew as a free agent. July 25, 2001 Signed Stacey Augmon as a free agent. August 13, 2001 Signed Matt Bullard as a free agent. October 25, 2001 As part of a 3-team trade, the Charlotte Hornets traded Derrick Coleman to the Philadelphia 76ers; the Charlotte Hornets traded cash to the Golden State Warriors; the Golden State Warriors traded Chris Porter to the Charlotte Hornets; the Golden State Warriors traded Corie Blount and Vonteego Cummings to the Philadelphia 76ers; the Philadelphia 76ers traded George Lynch, Jérôme Moïso and Robert Traylor to the Charlotte Hornets; and the Philadelphia 76ers traded Cedric Henderson and a 2005 1st round draft pick (Joey Graham was later selected) to the Golden State Warriors. October 26, 2001 Waived Chris Porter. October 29, 2001 Waived Tim James. November 19, 2001 Waived Eldridge Recasner. Player Transactions Citation:2001–02 Charlotte Hornets Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/2002_transactions.html July 3, 2021 References Char Category:Charlotte Hornets seasons Bob Bob