Summer League SHOWDOWN | Liam McNeeley CATCHES FIRE | Hornets Rookie REVIEW

The Charlotte Hornets opened their 2026 Summer League campaign with an 86-74 victory over the Orlando Magic, delivering plenty for fans to talk about. Host Walker Mehl and Doug Branson recap the energetic performances, starting with rookie Liam McNeely’s electric showing—scoring 28 points on 7-of-8 shooting from three and playing like the team’s best floor general for stretches. Hannes Steinbach also flashed high-level potential after a bumpy start, finishing with an impressive 15 points and 11 rebounds while showcasing his mobility, touch, and hustle in the paint.

While the rookie frontcourt drew plenty of positives, the backcourt was less inspiring. Sion James struggled noticeably with turnovers and offensive fluidity as the Hornets experimented with him in an on-ball role—raising questions about fit and development, especially against a backdrop of extremely physical, erratically-officiated play. Meanwhile, Christian Anderson’s shot wasn’t falling, but his poise and defensive flashes offered promise for the future.

The conversation rounds out with a look at two-way player Michael Ajayi’s contributions and some rapid-fire thoughts on the rest of the roster—including Kalkbrenner, Tidjane Salaun, and early lineup choices. It’s a thorough reflection on what the first game told us about Charlotte’s most promising young talents and where the question marks remain as Summer League continues. Tune in for player-focused observations, plenty of strong opinions, and quick wit as the Hornets work to shape their next core.

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