Charlotte Hornets Hosting NBA Champions in Charleston To Open Season

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The Charlotte Hornets will play a preseason game against the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder at the North Charleston Coliseum on October 5, according to the Post and Courier.

The matchup will feature league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and marks a continuation of the Hornets’ annual preseason visit to Charleston. Charlotte will hold part of its training camp at The Citadel’s downtown campus from September 30 through October 4.

This is the fourth consecutive year The Citadel has hosted an NBA team as part of its preseason programming. Previous visitors include the Philadelphia 76ers in 2022 and the New York Knicks in both 2023 and 2024.

Charleston has become a preseason destination for professional sports franchises, offering facilities, history, and a favorable setting for team bonding. The NHL’s St. Louis Blues have also held training sessions in the city, most recently in 2022 at the Carolina Ice Palace and North Charleston Coliseum.