Sion James scored 11 points off the bench Sunday night and handed out 4 assists. The Charlotte Hornets picked up their first preseason win by beating the Milwaukee Bucks 105-90 at home.
Coby White, who re-signed with Charlotte in June, has not played this preseason because of a calf injury, and Kon Knueppel has not played either. Grayson Allen missed Sunday's game with right knee soreness. LaMelo Ball, who spent six seasons in Charlotte, went to Minnesota in a June trade.
Hornets coach Charles Lee said Monday that the staff still has to give James more direction in Charlotte's called plays, including what Lee calls the stick-shift plays.
"I've loved Sion's, especially last game, I thought that his ability to be a little bit more efficient with the dribble last game was really good," Lee said. "He was more decisive, making quick decisions and reads and playing with the pass. I think our team feels very comfortable passing the ball ahead to him. He's been great. I think his decision-making has been really good. He's shooting the ball well."
"I think that we just have to continue to help him, give him more direction, I think, in some of the called plays, the stick shift plays, what do we want to get to and how do we want to play," Lee continued. "But overall, I love the impact that he's given us offensively. He's another ball handler, creator, and he's playing with a ton of confidence, which I love."
James Is Giving Charlotte More Ball-Handling Options
James is a second-year wing. Charlotte took him in the second round of the 2025 draft.
Through his first two preseason games, he is averaging 9.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. He is shooting 54% from the field and 62% from 3-point range.
ESPN named a pass-first organizer as Charlotte's biggest roster hole. Dennis Schröder and Brandon Miller also had 4 assists apiece Sunday, one behind Liam McNeeley's team-high 5.
Miller said James guards everybody's best player.
"Definitely, as [a point guard] right now, we trust him just to bring the ball up the court, but I think he does more than that," Miller said. "I think he guards everybody's best player. He's a great defender, great full-court defender. But not even just that, he's a young leader, which goes a long way in the NBA."
"Just leading vocally, I think for him, it's just like his preparation every day is going to be a big standout for him," Miller added.
Hornets Show Better Offensive Connectivity
As a team, the Hornets assisted on 29 of their 39 baskets. The Bucks had 23 assists, and Ryan Rollins had 3 steals for Milwaukee.
Charlotte outscored Milwaukee 31-19 in the second quarter and went into halftime ahead 60-45. The lead was 87-67 after three quarters.
The Hornets opened the preseason Oct. 6 with a 124-90 home loss to Brooklyn, a game in which they turned it over 25 times while playing without Miller, White, and Knueppel.
Miller scored 18 points in his return from a shin contusion, and Naz Reid added 16. James and McNeeley each had 11. Tyler Herro led the Bucks with 18.
The Hornets went 44-38 last season and finished ninth in the Eastern Conference. They beat the Miami Heat 127-126 in the play-in tournament on April 14, then lost 121-90 at Orlando three days later.
Lee laid out his biggest expectations for the season last week.
Charlotte Has Two Preseason Games Left
Charlotte plays the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, then finishes the preseason Friday at the Memphis Grizzlies. Tip-off at FedExForum is 8 p.m. ET.
After that, the Hornets have four days off before the Oct. 21 opener in Brooklyn, followed by home games against the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 23, the Heat on Oct. 24, and the Washington Wizards on Oct. 26.