Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Paces Charlotte in SL loss
Rotowire
McNeeley closed with 17 points (4-10 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 5-9 FT), five rebounds, five assists and two blocks over 27 minutes in Saturday's 95-91 Summer League loss to the Pelicans.
McNeeley wasn't able to replicate his 28-point performance from Thursday's Summer League opener, though he still poured in a team-high 17 points. The UConn product appeared in 31 regular-season games last season, averaging 4.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per contest. The 2025 first-round pick will compete with the likes of Royce O'Neale, Sion James and Dorian Finney-Smith for minutes off the bench during the 2026-27 campaign.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Erupts for 28 points in SL win
Rotowire
McNeeley racked up 28 points (9-18 FG, 7-8 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four assists and two rebounds across 28 minutes in Thursday's 86-74 Summer League win over the Magic.
McNeeley struggled from two-point range, though he torched the nets from beyond the arc and finished with a game-high 28 points. The 20-year-old forward was one of three Charlotte players to score in double figures and also tied for second on the team in assists. He isn't guaranteed a consistent spot in the Hornets' rotation in 2026-27 and will have to compete for playing time with Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, Sion James and Dorian Finney-Smith.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Appears in season-ending loss
Rotowire
McNeeley contributed two points (1-1 FG) and one steal across six minutes during Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to the Magic.
McNeeley saw the floor in Friday's blowout loss, marking just his second appearance of April, including the regular season. The rookie first-rounder played a muted role for the Hornets, averaging 4.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 11.9 minutes per contest across 31 regular-season outings off the bench. He appeared in 20 G League games for the Greensboro Swarm, with whom he averaged 19.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists across 31.9 minutes per contest. The 20-year-old will look to earn a more sizable role in 2026-27, though the only notable rotation player the Hornets could lose in free agency is Coby White.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Recalled by Hornets
Rotowire
Charlotte recalled McNeely from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Saturday.
McNeely played a crucial role for the Swarm in their 119-104 win over the Stockton Kings in Game 2 of the G League Finals on Friday, when he logged 21 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal across 31 minutes. The rookie first-rounder has appeared in only three NBA-level games since the All-Star break but will be available to play in Sunday's regular-season finale against New York.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Downgraded to out
Rotowire
McNeeley (illness) is out for Thursday's game against New York.
McNeeley was a late addition to the injury report, and he's since been downgraded to out due to an illness. He logged 10 minutes in Charlotte's last matchup Tuesday against Sacramento, so Josh Green and Pat Connaughton could pick up a few additional minutes in McNeeley's absence.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Added to injury report
Rotowire
McNeeley is questionable for Thursday's game against the Knicks due to illness.
McNeeley is evidently feeling under the weather, putting his availability for Thursday in jeopardy. The Hornets should have another update closer to tipoff.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Plays well off bench
Rotowire
McNeeley ended Tuesday's 134-90 victory over the Kings with seven points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and six rebounds across 10 minutes.
This was the rookie's first appearance since Jan. 28, and he made the most of his minutes in garbage time. With the Hornets eyeing a spot in the playoffs, McNeeley is currently on the outside looking in terms of consistent playing time.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Recalled to NBA
Rotowire
The Hornets recalled McNeeley from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.
McNeeley will rejoin the Hornets ahead of their game against the Kings on Tuesday. However, the rookie first-rounder hasn't seen the floor for the parent club since Jan. 28 and isn't guaranteed to play Tuesday.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Won't play Tuesday
Rotowire
McNeeley (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against Portland.
McNeeley, who was recalled from the G League on Monday, will be unavailable for Tuesday's contest due to a left ankle sprain. The rookie's next chance to play will come Wednesday against Sacramento in the second half of Charlotte's back-to-back, though playing time isn't guaranteed even when he's healthy.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Recalled Monday
Rotowire
The Hornets recalled McNeeley from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.
McNeeley will join the Hornets ahead of their next three games on the road, starting with Tuesday's matchup versus Portland. The rookie first-rounder isn't guaranteed to see the floor for the parent club and has totaled just six minutes in one appearance since Jan. 10.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Out again Thursday
Rotowire
McNeeley (ankle) is out for Thursday's game in Indiana.
McNeeley hasn't made any appearances in the G League or NBA since Feb. 6 while he continues to tend to a left ankle sprain. Even once he overcomes the injury, the rookie first-round pick is unlikely to be a regular part of the Charlotte rotation.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Remaining out Tuesday
Rotowire
McNeeley (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Bulls.
McNeeley, who hasn't appeared in an NBA game since Jan. 28, will remain sidelined while managing a left ankle sprain. His next opportunity to return comes Thursday against the Pacers, though his inconsistent role in the Hornets' rotation means playing time isn't guaranteed even once healthy.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Won't play Sunday
Rotowire
McNeeley (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Wizards.
McNeeley has been dealing with a left ankle sprain since early February and will not be available for Sunday's contest. He appeared to fall out of the Hornets' rotation prior to his ankle issue, so his return -- which could take place Tuesday against the Bulls -- wouldn't make much of an impact.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Out again Wednesday
Rotowire
McNeeley (ankle) is out for Wednesday's game against the Hawks.
McNeeley will miss another game while dealing with a left ankle sprain. He'll need to wait at least until after the All-Star break to return to the court for Charlotte.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Sees 21 minutes in loss
Rotowire
McNeeley racked up seven points (1-4 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-6 FT), two rebounds and one block over 21 minutes during Wednesday's 97-96 loss to Toronto.
With Brandon Miller (knee) getting the night off for the front end of this back-to-back set, McNeeley was able to absorb some minutes Wednesday. He's been used pretty sparingly recently, averaging 10.7 minutes over his last six outings.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Assigned to G League
Rotowire
Charlotte assigned McNeeley to the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Wednesday.
The Hornets are off until Friday, so the franchise is looking to get the rookie some additional reps. In his last three NBA appearances, McNeeley averaged 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 2.0 three-pointers in 19.5 minutes per contest.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Good to go for Saturday
Rotowire
Charlotte coach Charles Lee said McNeeley (illness) will be available for Saturday's game against the Clippers, according to Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer.
McNeeley missed the past four games for Charlotte, but he's no longer under the weather. Prior to his illness, McNeeley was starting to carve out a minor role at the edge of the rotation.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Won't play Friday
Rotowire
McNeely (illness) won't suit up for Friday's game in Milwaukee, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
McNeely's absence could result in a marginal uptick in minutes for Pat Connaughton, but it won't dramatically impact the Hornets' rotations. McNeely's next chance to play will come Saturday against the Thunder.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Questionable to face Milwaukee
Rotowire
McNeeley (illness) is questionable for Friday's game against the Bucks.
McNeeley is under the weather and could miss the front end of the Hornets' back-to-back set. If the rookie forward is ultimately ruled out, Pat Connaughton will likely see a slight bump in minutes.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Modest outing in win
Rotowire
McNeeley contributed five points (1-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and two assists over 12 minutes during Wednesday's 111-100 victory over the Bucks.
McNeeley continues to back up Miles Bridges but has not been effective shooting the ball, averaging 5.5 points on just 27.8 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three in his last four games. Grant Williams (knee) has yet to make his season debut, and there is no timetable for his return, so McNeeley should continue to see the court with the second unit in the meantime.
