The buzz in Charlotte was unmistakable on January 7, 2026, as the Spectrum Center played host to a pivotal NBA clash between the Charlotte Hornets (13-23) and the Toronto Raptors (22-15). Both teams entered the night with plenty at stake—the Hornets looking to build on their recent momentum and the Raptors aiming to extend their winning ways. The matchup marked the fourth and final meeting between these two squads for the season, with Charlotte holding a slim 2-1 series lead before tipoff. Fans tuning in via FDSSE, TSN, or streaming on Fubo were treated to a contest loaded with storylines, statistical intrigue, and a touch of revenge.
The Hornets came into this showdown riding high after a dominant 124-97 road victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 5. That win capped off a successful 2-1 road swing and showcased the team’s emerging young core. Brandon Miller, the second-year forward, was sensational with a team-high 28 points and six rebounds. Rookie Kon Knueppel put up an impressive line of 23 points, five rebounds, and five assists, while Miles Bridges recorded his 70th career double-double for Charlotte with 17 points and 11 rebounds, passing Elden Campbell for ninth-most in franchise history. The Hornets’ defense forced the Thunder into a season-low 36.6% shooting night and just 97 points, despite Charlotte committing 21 turnovers of their own. Clearly, this is a team that’s learning how to win even when the game gets messy.
On the other side, the Raptors arrived in Charlotte fresh off a convincing 118-100 win over the Atlanta Hawks, their seventh victory in the last 11 contests. Toronto’s offense was humming, led by Brandon Ingram’s 19 points, while Scottie Barnes continued his breakout campaign with 18 points and 10 rebounds—his 18th double-double of the season, tying him for sixth-most in the league. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles chipped in with 17 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, showing poise beyond his years. The Raptors dominated the paint (64-44 advantage) and fastbreak points (29-15), while limiting the Hawks to just 39.3% shooting. It’s no wonder Toronto has gone 15-6 with RJ Barrett in the lineup this year, compared to 7-9 without him—a stat that speaks volumes about his impact.
Heading into the contest, the Hornets were 6-6 over their last 12 games, a notable improvement considering their early-season struggles. When the trio of Miller, Knueppel, and LaMelo Ball have started together, Charlotte boasts a 9-6 record—a sign that, when healthy, this group can compete with just about anyone. However, injuries remained a concern. The Hornets’ injury report listed Brandon Miller (knee) and Moussa Diabaté (wrist) as probable, while Tidjane Salaün (ankle) was questionable. Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow), Mason Plumlee (groin), and Grant Williams (ACL recovery) were all sidelined. For the Raptors, Jakob Poeltl was ruled out with a back injury, and two-way contract players Chucky Hepburn, AJ Lawson, and Alijah Martin were also unavailable.
With both teams missing key frontcourt pieces, the battle in the paint took on added significance. Moussa Diabaté, the Hornets’ lone true center with Kalkbrenner and Plumlee out, was expected to see a heavy workload. Diabaté had recorded at least 20 points plus rebounds in four of his previous five games and five of seven starts this season—impressive numbers for a player thrust into a bigger role. Sandro Mamukelashvili, coming off the bench for Toronto, had cleared 15.5 points plus rebounds in 11 of 15 games, including five of nine as a reserve, making him a key X-factor for the Raptors.
Oddsmakers pegged Toronto as slight favorites, with the spread set at Raptors -1.5 and the over/under at 230.5 total points. The Raptors were listed at -125 on the moneyline, while the Hornets were +105 to pull off the upset. Statistically, the matchup promised fireworks: the Raptors averaged 114.5 points per game, just 3.4 fewer than the Hornets typically surrendered (117.9), while the Hornets put up 116.1 points per game—3.8 more than the Raptors allowed on average (112.3). With both teams capable of lighting up the scoreboard, fans and bettors alike anticipated a high-octane affair.
The rivalry between these two teams added another layer of intrigue. Toronto had won 14 of the last 20 meetings overall, but Charlotte held the upper hand this season, having taken two of the first three matchups—including a 118-111 overtime thriller on November 29 and a 111-86 blowout just a week later. For the Raptors, this was a classic revenge spot, and with their recent surge in form, they appeared poised to even the season series.
Projected starting lineups reflected each team’s evolving rotations. The Raptors trotted out Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley, a group blending youth, athleticism, and experience. The Hornets countered with Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabaté, Brandon Miller, and LaMelo Ball—the core that has fueled their midseason resurgence. Both coaches emphasized the importance of defense and rebounding, given their respective injury woes up front.
As tipoff approached, the atmosphere inside Spectrum Center was electric. Fans knew that every possession would matter in a game with playoff implications, however distant they might seem for the Hornets. Charlotte’s faithful hoped their team could capitalize on home-court advantage and maintain their edge in the season series, while Raptors supporters looked for their squad to stay hot and keep pace in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
With the game underway, all eyes were on the key matchups: Could Diabaté continue his strong run as the Hornets’ anchor in the paint? Would Ingram and Barnes exploit Charlotte’s depleted frontcourt? And might the rookie duel between Knueppel and Murray-Boyles provide the spark for a game-changing run? The stakes were clear, and the action on the court promised to match the intensity in the stands.
As the contest unfolded, the Hornets and Raptors traded blows, each side showcasing the depth and resilience that have defined their recent stretches. The outcome remained very much in doubt as the teams battled deep into the second half, with momentum swinging back and forth on nearly every trip down the floor. For now, fans will have to stay tuned as this thrilling matchup continues to deliver drama and excitement in Charlotte.
