Charlotte Hornets Playoff History: Series by Year

This is a timeline with all the NBA postseason series played by the Charlotte Hornets. It also includes data about how the team arrived to the Playoffs that year and the result of each series, since their first season in 1989 to the present.

In their 35 seasons in the NBA, the Charlotte Hornets made the postseason 10 times. On those years they have played a total of 14 playoff series, of which they won 4 and lost 10, for a 28.6 winning percentge.

So far, they have never won a Championship or reached the Finals.

Charlotte Hornets Playoffs Timeline

2025 Playoffs

Teams for these Playoffs are still to be determined.

2024 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (21-61 season record, 13th in the Eastern Conference).

2023 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (27-55 season record, 14th in the Eastern Conference).

2022 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (43-39 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference). They lost to the Hawks in the Eastern Conference Play-In.

2021 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (33-39 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference). They lost to the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Play-In.

2020 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (23-42 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference).

2019 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (39-43 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

2018 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (36-46 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference).

2017 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (36-46 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).

2016 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference (48-34 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Miami Heat 3-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2015 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (33-49 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).

2014 Playoffs

The Charlotte Bobcats qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference (43-39 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Miami Heat 0-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2013 Playoffs

The Charlotte Bobcats didn't qualify for the Playoffs (21-61 season record, 14th in the Eastern Conference).

2012 Playoffs

The Charlotte Bobcats didn't qualify for the Playoffs (7-59 season record, 15th in the Eastern Conference).

2011 Playoffs

The Charlotte Bobcats didn't qualify for the Playoffs (34-48 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference).

2010 Playoffs

The Charlotte Bobcats qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference (44-38 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Orlando Magic 0-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2009 Playoffs

The Charlotte Bobcats didn't qualify for the Playoffs (35-47 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference).

2008 Playoffs

The Charlotte Bobcats didn't qualify for the Playoffs (32-50 season record, 12th in the Eastern Conference).

2007 Playoffs

The Charlotte Bobcats didn't qualify for the Playoffs (33-49 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).

2006 Playoffs

The Charlotte Bobcats didn't qualify for the Playoffs (26-56 season record, 13th in the Eastern Conference).

2005 Playoffs

The Charlotte Bobcats didn't qualify for the Playoffs (18-64 season record, 14th in the Eastern Conference).

2002 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (44-38 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Orlando Magic 3-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the New Jersey Nets 1-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

2001 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference (46-36 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Miami Heat 3-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 3-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

2000 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (49-33 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 1-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1999 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (26-24 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1998 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (51-31 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Atlanta Hawks 3-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Chicago Bulls 1-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

* The Bulls ended up winning the Championship.

1997 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference (54-28 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the New York Knicks 0-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1996 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (41-41 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1995 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (50-32 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Chicago Bulls 1-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1994 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (41-41 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1993 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (44-38 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Boston Celtics 3-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the New York Knicks 1-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1992 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-51 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).

1991 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (26-56 season record, 12th in the Eastern Conference).

1990 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (19-63 season record, 14th in the Western Conference).

1989 Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (20-62 season record, 12th in the Eastern Conference).

- end of timeline