Charlotte Hornets Announce Schedule Of Eight Anniversary Nights, Giveaways For 2023-24 35th Anniversary Season

September 7, 2023 – The Charlotte Hornets today announced the schedule of the eight Anniversary Night games for the 2023-24 season as the franchise marks the 35^th Anniversary of the inaugural 1988-89 Hornets season. Highlights of the schedule include nights honoring all-time greats Baron Davis and Gerald Wallace on Saturday, November 18, and Saturday, February 10, respectively.

The first Anniversary Night will be on Opening Night, October 25, and 15,000 fans will receive an Opening Night T-shirt when the Hornets host the Atlanta Hawks. Davis will be honored during the game against the New York Knicks on Saturday, November 18, and Wallace will be recognized when the Memphis Grizzlies come to town on Saturday, February 10. Both players will take part in special halftime ceremonies acknowledging their achievements during their careers in Charlotte. The first 5,000 fans entering Spectrum Center for those two games will receive commemorative posters of Davis and Wallace, respectively. 

Davis was selected by the Hornets with the third overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. In three seasons in Charlotte prior to the team’s departure for New Orleans, he played in 246 consecutive games and averaged 12.6 points, 6.5 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals as the Hornets made the playoffs three straight years. In 2001-02, Davis averaged 18.1 points and 8.5 assists per game and made the first of his two career NBA All-Star appearances. He ranks fourth in franchise history in both assists per game and steals per game, while also ranking fifth in total assists and seventh in total steals.

Wallace came to Charlotte in the 2004 NBA Expansion Draft, spending seven seasons with the Bobcats and averaging 16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks per game in 454 games played. A 2010 NBA All-Star, Wallace ranks among the franchise’s career leaders in defensive rebounds (first), steals (second), free throws made (second), points (third), rebounds (third), field goals (fourth), blocks (fourth), minutes played (fourth) and offensive rebounds (fifth). 

The Anniversary Night schedule will also include the contest against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, February 29, where the first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a set of nesting dolls featuring a trio of Hornets point guards who have worn No. 1 - LaMelo Ball, Baron Davis and Muggsy Bogues.

For each Anniversary Night, the Hornets will wear the new teal Classic Edition uniform that echoes the second-generation Hornets uniforms worn from 1997-2002. The games will feature appearances by former Hornets greats, along with themed arena activations, music and game presentation elements designed to take fans through the evolution of the franchise from 1988 to the present, and on into the future.

In preparation for the 35^th Anniversary celebration, hornets.com today will be launching a 35^th Anniversary page at hornets.com/35th that will include content such as the Top Jersey Tourney, where fans can vote in a bracket-style tournament for their favorite uniforms, along with information about the Classic Edition uniform and Anniversary Nights. Additional content will be added leading up to and throughout the season, including historical player profiles and a chance for fans to select their all-time starting lineup.

Tickets for all eight Anniversary Night games can be purchased together as part of the Anniversary Plan, which is on sale now and features Uptown Concourse seating, starting at just $23 per ticket per game. Hive Society Memberships for the 2023-24 season and Pick 23 Plans, featuring the first and last home games of the regular season plus 21 games of the purchaser’s choice, are also available. For more information, call 704.HORNETS or visit hornets.com/tickets.