HORNETS WIN...sort of | Draft Lotto Implications of Wire to Wire Dub vs. Jazz | Rookie Tidjane Salaun Figures it Out

The Charlotte Hornets eked out a chaotic, wire-to-wire win over the Utah Jazz in what can only be described as the NBA’s version of a “toilet bowl.” Doug and Walker break down the mess and the moments of brilliance, starting with Miles Bridges’ quiet 26 points and Mark Williams’ near-perfect shooting streak. The guys debate whether Bridges should continue playing down the stretch or be benched to avoid injury during these sloppy, meaningless games.

Walker calls attention to rookie Tidjane Salaun’s electric night off the bench—perfect from three, full of hustle plays, and showing signs that the game is finally slowing down for him. Doug celebrates Salaun’s maturity and growth inside Charlotte’s player development system and draws a sharp contrast with the recently departed Kai Jones, who’s suddenly thriving in Dallas.

Then it’s mock draft time: the Hornets fall to No. 5 in the latest Tankathon simulation, prompting a fresh discussion on VJ Edgecombe’s rising stock. Is he the right pick over upside guys like Ace Bailey? Plus, Charles Lee is rolling out bizarre double-big lineups featuring Mark Williams and Jusuf Nurkić. Is this just tank season weirdness or something more?

And did you know? This win marked the Hornets' first wire-to-wire victory of the season—and their first season sweep of Utah since 1995. All that, plus a mini Hornets history lesson and Doug’s disdain for April Fool’s jokes.

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