Wizards Host Hornets to Open NBA Cup Group C

Overview

• The Wizards and Hornets meet at Capital One Arena at 7:00 p.m. ET Friday in the first Group C game of the NBA Cup, with Charlotte seeking a second win over Washington after a meeting four days earlier.
• Charlotte beat Washington 110-103 in their last meeting, a game that featured Brandon Miller’s career-high 39 points and Moussa Diabate’s heavy offensive rebounding.
• Both teams enter with notable absences that will alter rotations, as the Hornets are without Coby White and Grant Williams while the Wizards are missing Tre Johnson and Tristan Vukcevic.
• Washington’s roster now features high-profile additions in Trae Young and Anthony Davis and has the No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa back from an ankle injury, while Charlotte still leans heavily on Miller and has struggled with turnovers.
• Group C advancement hinges on a short set of results and point differential, meaning Friday’s outcome and margins matter for paths that include beating Washington and Chicago plus at least one win over Boston or Atlanta before the break.