Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee said forward Naz Reid, a new addition to the team, was benched at halftime of Wednesday’s 97-89 loss to the Detroit Pistons for not meeting “our standards in the first half.”
Reid, who started, finished with seven points on 2-of-6 shooting in 13 minutes.“Unfortunately, [Reid] didn’t meet the standards in the first half and at halftime we made the decision he wouldn’t play in the second half,” Lee said. “But I look forward to him meeting those standards come next game.”
Charlotte’s Brandon Miller scored 31 points and 12 rebounds, but was 2 of 7 from the field in the fourth quarter.
ESPN reported that he had 21 points to help the Hornets to a 51-44 halftime lead. Neither team shot particularly well, but Charlotte’s 6-0 edge in second-chance points was enough to keep it in front.
But Detroit jumped out to a 16-5 run to open the third quarter and got eight turnovers in the period to take a 76-70 lead. Charlotte stayed around most of the fourth quarter, but Miller’s shooting woes and five more turnovers prevented a serious challenge.
Reid was one of the main pieces Charlotte received in the trade that sent LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Along with Reid, the Hornets also received a 2033 unprotected first-round pick and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033). Charlotte also swapped first-round picks in 2028, 2029 and 2030.
🎙️ Charles Lee: “Unfortunately, Naz (Reid) 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. But I look forward to him meeting those standards come next game.”
— r/CharlotteHornets (@HornetsReddit) October 29, 2026
Reid is in the second season of a five-year, $125 million contract he signed with Minnesota. Reid won the 2024 Sixth Man of the Year Award.
Hornets acquire Buddy Hield
Yankee Scores earlier reported that Atlanta Hawks have continued to deal with Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard and cash considerations in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith in a trade with Charlotte Hornets.
It was gathered that the Hornets will waive Ryan Nembhard in the deal, according to sources quoted by Shams Charania.
