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. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://linktr.ee/lockedonhornets Become an official member of the Locked On Hornets Sicko Brigade and get Hornets news, rumors and pictures of Byron Mullens sent directly to your phone via Subtext (14 Day Free Trial): https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonhornets Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA Get Doug's gamenotes, special articles and a podcast on Hornets history at the Every Hornets Boxscore substack: everyhornetsboxscore.com Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history 📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter Locked On Hornets https://twitter.com/LockedOnHornets Walker Mehl https://twitter.com/WalkerMehl Doug Branson https://twitter.com/DougBransonLOH Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Turbo Tax Ready for stress-free taxes and the most money back, guaranteed? Head over to TurboTax.com today and get matched with your Expert. Only available with TurboTax Live Full Service. Real-time updates only in the iOS mobile app. See guarantee details at TurboTax.com/guarantees. WayFair After the holiday hustle, there’s nothing like giving your home a little TLC. Give your home the refresh it needs with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. SKIMS Shop SKIMS Mens at SKIMS.com/lockedonnba. Let them know we sent you! After you place your order, select "podcast" in the survey and select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. OpenPhone The #1 business phone system designed to help you keep your work and personal life separate. Right now, OpenPhone is offering 20% off your first 6 months when you go to OpenPhone.com/LOCKEDONNBA. and if you have existing numbers with another service, OpenPhone will port them over at no extra charge! Door Dash They Swoosh, You Save: when any player scores 50 or more points in a game during the 24/25 NBA regular season, DashPass members save 50% on an order, up to $10 off with promo code NBA50. 50% Off 1 Order (Up to $10 Off) Offer valid from 9:00 AM PT through 11:59 PM PT after a 50 point performance in any game during the NBA season on orders placed at participating merchant locations. Valid only in the United States. Maximum value of discount is $10.00. Discount applies to subtotal only; does not apply to fees, taxes, and gratuity. Not valid for pickup. Limit one per person. Not valid for the purchase of alcohol. Fees, taxes, and gratuity still apply. Must have an active DashPass account. Use promo code NBA50 to redeem. See further terms and conditions at https://drd.sh/8ONpZP/. Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year. FanDuel Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.