Hornets Coach Charles Lee Benches Naz Reid in Loss to Pistons

Posted : 29 October 2026

Charlotte Hornets forward Naz Reid was left out of the second half of Wednesday’s 97-89 defeat against the Detroit Pistons after head coach Charles Lee said the player had failed to meet the team’s expectations. Reid started the game but did not return after the interval, with Lee making the decision based on his first-half performance.

Reid recorded seven points and six rebounds in 13 minutes, shooting two of six from the field before being benched. Lee did not explain specifically what standards the forward had failed to meet, but made it clear that he expects a better performance in Charlotte’s next game.

“Unfortunately, Naz didn’t meet our standards in the first half, and at halftime we made the decision that he wouldn’t play in the second half,” Lee said. He added that he looked forward to Reid meeting those expectations in the team's next outing.

The decision came despite Charlotte holding a 51-44 lead at half-time. Brandon Miller had been instrumental in building that advantage, scoring 21 points before the break as the Hornets looked poised to secure another victory.

Detroit responded strongly after the interval, opening the third quarter with a 16-5 run and taking control of the contest. The Pistons forced eight turnovers in the period and carried a 76-70 lead into the final quarter.

Charlotte remained within reach for much of the fourth quarter, but struggled to regain momentum. Miller finished with 31 points and 12 rebounds, although he missed five of his seven attempts in the final period. Further turnovers prevented the Hornets from mounting a serious comeback, allowing Detroit to close out the 97-89 win.

Reid was one of Charlotte’s key acquisitions in the offseason trade that sent point guard LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Hornets also received future draft assets, including an unprotected first-round pick in 2033, three second-round selections and several first-round pick swaps.

The 26-year-old forward spent the first seven seasons of his NBA career with Minnesota, where he established himself as an important contributor off the bench. His performances earned him the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award for the 2023-24 season.

Reid is currently in the second year of a five-year contract worth $125 million. His arrival was expected to strengthen Charlotte’s frontcourt, making his unexpected second-half benching a notable development early in his time with the franchise.

The Hornets will look to respond in their next game against the Washington Wizards on Friday. Reid’s role in that matchup will be worth watching as Charlotte attempts to recover from the defeat and determine how the forward fits into the team’s plans moving forward.

Hornets Coach Charles Lee Benches Naz Reid in Loss to Pistons

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics