April 2, 2016 – The Charlotte Hornets tonight clinched a spot in the 2016 NBA Playoffs by virtue of the Chicago Bulls’ loss to the Detroit Pistons. The second playoff appearance in three seasons, it will be the 10th trip to the postseason in 26 years of NBA basketball in Charlotte.
The Hornets currently sit at 44-31, tied for third place in the Eastern Conference, including a 28-11 home record at Time Warner Cable Arena that is the third-best in the conference. Since February 1, the team is 21-6, the best record in the Eastern Conference and third-best in the NBA behind only Golden State and San Antonio during that stretch. Charlotte is 9-3 on the road over that span, the best record in the Eastern Conference and second-best in the NBA behind only Golden State. The Hornets went 13-3 in March, setting a franchise record for wins in a month. With seven games remaining in the regular season, the Hornets already have 11 more wins than last season and are on pace to post the second-largest season-over-season win increase in Charlotte NBA history.
The 2016 NBA Playoffs will begin on Saturday, April 16, and the Hornets will begin their first round series either that day or on Sunday, April 17. Single-game tickets for the first three potential home games of the best-of-seven series are available online at hornets.com or ticketmaster.com, on the Hornets Mobile App, via phone at 1-800-4NBA-TIX, or at the Time Warner Cable Arena box office.
Playoff opponents, dates and times will not be determined until the end of the regular season. Only the first two home games are guaranteed to be played. Per team policy, no refunds or exchanges will be given for games played. Refunds will only be given for games that are not necessary.
The Hornets are rolling out an advertising campaign geared toward the playoffs that is an extension of the “Enter the Swarm” theme that has been in place all season. The tagline is intended to be both an invitation for fans to join the growing Swarm of Hornets fans and a declaration of what opponents will face on the court.
The campaign features dramatic images of players with purple and teal Hornets branding painted across their faces. The artfully-crafted creative portrays the intensity of a fierce swarm of aggressive hornets that are ready to battle.
Advertising elements include digital ads, transit media, uptown digital billboards, center city light pole banners, television and radio spots, social media and email marketing. The campaign was created by the team’s marketing and creative services department.