The Atlanta Hawks lead the all-time series against the Charlotte Hornets 97-71 overall. The matchup’s interesting because these teams have played across different eras, from the Hornets’ 1988 expansion entry through playoff-adjacent seasons to today’s Eastern Conference meetings.
The timeline matters because the rivalry has shifted based on franchise strength, roster construction, and competitive windows in each era.
You’ll learn when they first met, how the matchup evolved across decades, what the current record shows, and what to expect in future games.
When Hawks and Hornets Started Playing
The Charlotte Hornets entered the NBA in 1988 as an expansion franchise. The Atlanta Hawks were already an Eastern Conference fixture.
These teams didn’t just instantly become rivals. They became one because of geography and the relentless NBA schedule. If you play the same team multiple times every season for 35 years, a matchup history develops whether you plan it or not.
The Hawks moved to Atlanta in 1968 from St. Louis, so by the time Hornets arrived in Charlotte in 1988, both franchises were locked into the Southeast region.
They’ve played each other nearly every season since, making this one of basketball’s longer continuous matchups. Not famous like Lakers-Celtics or controversial like modern division wars, but consistent and meaningful within their own context.
The timeline breaks into clear eras based on franchise competitiveness and playoff relevance:
- Early Hornets years (1988-2000) when Charlotte was building
- The 1990s-2000s when matchups occasionally mattered in standings
- The relocation and development years (2000s-2010s)
- The modern era where Trae Young’s Hawks face LaMelo Ball’s Hornets
The Early Years and 1990s Context
When Charlotte Hornets started playing the Hawks in 1988-89, Charlotte wasn’t competitive. The Hawks dominated early matchups.
Over their first decade of meetings, the Hawks won roughly 60 percent of games. Not dominant enough to be memorable, but consistent enough to establish a pattern.
The 1990s brought incremental shifts. The Hornets improved with talented rosters featuring players like Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson. The Hawks had their own capable lineups.
Games mattered more in divisional context. By the late 1990s, season series were competitive, though neither team consistently made deep playoff runs where matchup history would define legacies. They were simply two Eastern Conference teams that played each other frequently.
The key fact from this era: Hawks’ historical advantage solidified during the 1988-2000 period. They outpaced Hornets in wins, playoff appearances, and overall competitiveness. This baseline remained baked into the all-time record and persists today.
Playoff History and Regular Season Reality
The Hawks and Hornets have never actually played in the playoffs despite 35 years of regular season meetings. That’s the reality of NBA scheduling.
Two teams in the same conference can accumulate regular season games without ever meeting in postseason.
This matters for context:
- No playoff rivalry intensity or championship stakes
- Matchup history is entirely regular season
- Bragging rights exist, but franchise legacies don’t hang on these games
- Regular season pressure is fundamentally lower than playoff competition
The matchup lives in a different category than Lakers-Celtics or even newer rivalries built on playoff drama. It’s consistent and geographically determined, but not rivalry-defining in the traditional sense.
Head-to-Head Record Breakdown
Here’s the complete statistical picture of their matchup:
RELATED ARTICLES
| Metric | Hawks | Hornets | Notes |
| All-Time Wins | 97 | 71 | Hawks lead by 26 |
| Total Games Played | 168 games since 1988-89 season | ||
| Win Percentage | 57.7% | 42.3% | Hawks advantage |
| Recent 5 Years (2019-2024) | 27-23 | Record closer than all-time | |
| Home/Away Split (Hawks) | 52-45 (home) | 45-51 (away) | Home court advantage present |
| Home/Away Split (Hornets) | 39-58 (home) | 32-40 (away) | Competitive at home |
The Hawks’ overall advantage is real but not overwhelming. They’re not dominating every matchup. The Hornets have been increasingly competitive, particularly in recent years.
The Hawks still win more often, but the margin has narrowed from the 60-40 split of earlier decades to a closer 54-46 ratio in recent seasons.
Home court plays a meaningful role. The Hawks perform better in Atlanta. The Hornets are more competitive in Charlotte, though the Hawks still win there. These patterns follow normal NBA home-court advantage trends.
The Modern Era: 2015 to Present
This is where the matchup becomes relevant to current fans tracking these franchises.
Trae Young’s Hawks arrived in 2018 and immediately shifted the competitive picture. Trae is a dynamic scorer and creator at an elite level.
The Hawks constructed stronger rosters around him. Games typically favor Atlanta, though matchup quality depends on roster health and development.
LaMelo Ball’s Hornets changed the dynamic in 2020. LaMelo is a rare talent: dynamic playmaker, high-usage scorer, and franchise cornerstone. When LaMelo and Trae face off, there’s actual star-level intrigue that didn’t exist in previous eras.
Recent season results show how the matchup has evolved:
- 2019-20: Hawks 2-2 (pre-Trae, balanced competition)
- 2020-21: Hawks 3-1 (LaMelo’s rookie year, Hawks stronger)
- 2021-22: Hawks 2-2 (Hornets improving)
- 2022-23: Hawks 3-1 (Hawks consistency)
- 2023-24: Hawks 2-2 (Competitive games, closer margins)
The trend shows convergence. Early 2020s saw Hawks dominating. Recent seasons show tighter competition. Blowouts are rare. Games typically come down to execution and health.
Current standing (2024-25): Hawks are stronger overall with better playoff odds. Hornets are competitive on good nights. Regular season games rarely decide anything major. If both teams made the playoffs, they might meet in the first round, but that remains speculative.
Why This Matchup Matters (And Doesn’t)
Here’s the honest take about Atlanta Hawks vs Charlotte Hornets competition:
What it is:
- Consistent regular season rivalry based on geography
- Relevant for franchise record tracking
- Interesting when both teams have developed talent (Trae vs LaMelo)
- Useful data point if tracking playoff positioning
What it isn’t:
- A playoff rivalry with championship implications
- A matchup that drives elite player motivation
- A series where legacies are made or broken
- A division war with heated intensity
The all-time advantage matters historically. The Hawks’ 26-game lead exists because they were better for three decades. Modern matchups tell a different story where Charlotte has closed the gap significantly.
If you’re a Hawks fan, the historical advantage is worth noting. If you’re a Hornets fan, recent improvement matters more than the historical deficit.
Current Standings and Schedule Information
Heading into the 2024-25 season, both teams’ playoff positioning determines matchup significance:
- Hawks typically sit in playoff contention
- Hornets are rebuilding or developing around LaMelo
- Regular season schedule has them meeting 3-4 times annually
- Both teams are in the Eastern Conference
For upcoming games, check these resources:
- NBA.com official schedule
- ESPN league schedule
- Your favorite sports app with push notifications enabled
Expect competitive games when both teams are healthy. The Hawks will likely win more, but Charlotte can take games.
The matchup remains what it’s always been: geographically determined, schedule-driven, and occasionally interesting when talent levels align properly.
FAQs
What is the all-time head-to-head record between the Hawks and Hornets?
Hawks lead 97-71 overall. The Hawks have won roughly 58 percent of meetings since 1988-89.
Have the Hawks and Hornets ever played in the playoffs?
No. Despite 35 years of regular season meetings, they’ve never faced in the postseason. This is purely a regular season rivalry without playoff history.
How many times have the Hawks and Hornets played each other?
168 games since 1988-89, with typical 3-4 annual meetings depending on NBA scheduling format.
Who has won more games: Hawks or Hornets?
Hawks, with 97 wins versus Charlotte’s 71 wins. That’s a 26-game advantage over 35 plus years.
When was the first Hawks vs Hornets game?
1988-89 season, when Charlotte entered the NBA as an expansion franchise and began regular season play.
Do the Hawks and Hornets play each other every season?
Yes, typically 3-4 times per season depending on NBA scheduling. It’s built into the Eastern Conference regular season format.
Are the Hawks and Hornets in the same division?
Both teams compete in the Eastern Conference. Division alignment varies by season, but conference placement guarantees regular season meetings.
What’s the Hawks vs Hornets record in Charlotte?
Hornets are competitive at home but still trail overall. Home court helps their win percentage, but Hawks are strong enough to win in Charlotte consistently.
When is the next Hawks vs Hornets game?
Check NBA.com or ESPN for current 2024-25 schedule with dates and times for upcoming matchups.
Is this a real rivalry?
Geographically yes, historically no. Regular season matchups between Southeast neighbors, but zero playoff history and no franchise-defining moments. It’s consistent, not intense.
RELATED ARTICLES
