The Charlotte Hornets are officially one of the hottest teams in the NBA, and head coach Charles Lee believes the looming trade deadline is a major reason why. After Wednesday night's impressive 118-89 win over the Boston Celtics, Lee praised guard Coby White, calling him a "battle-tested" veteran who has turned the team around.
"He adds a lot to our environment and our product on the court," Lee said of White. With the win the Hornets moved to 32–31, the first time they have sat above the .500 mark since late October. This extended their current winning streak to six games, a stretch where Charlotte has boasted one of the most efficient offenses in the league.
🎙️ Charles Lee on Coby White: "He adds a lot to our environment and our product on the court."
"We have a very deep team, but there's something about having a guy like that who is battle-tested, a high-level thinker and has been through a lot of experiences as a basketball player."... pic.twitter.com/WsJ9sYnhqC
- r/CharlotteHornets (@HornetsReddit) 5 March 2026
White was surgically efficient against the Celtics at TD Garden, finishing with 17 points and six assists while shooting an impressive 6-of-9 from the field in just 20 minutes of action. His ability to stabilize the second unit and provide clutch scoring punch has provided Lee with a luxury the Hornets have lacked in recent seasons.
Lee said having a high-level thinker like White makes it easier for him to put the ball in his hands at the end of quarters so the team can get quality shots.
The blowout featured a balanced attack as rookie Con Knueppel led all Charlotte scorers with 20 points. Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball each scored 18 points, while the defense held a powerful Boston team to just 89 points.
For a team that was struggling to stay in the play-in race a month ago, the addition of White along with stars like Ball and Miller has created a tremendous rotation. As the Hornets head toward the postseason, their new “battle-tested” creator appears to be just what the doctor ordered.
