NBA Power Rankings Week 19: April review and the rising Phoenix Suns

17. Charlotte Hornets

Last Week: Beat Boston Celtics 125-104, Lost to Milwaukee Bucks 114-104, Lost to Boston Celtics 120-111, Beat Detroit Pistons 107-94

This Week: 5/2 vs. Miami Heat, 5/4 at Detroit Pistons, 5/6 vs. Chicago Bulls, 5/7 vs. Orlando Magic

If the Charlotte Hornets make something of the young core that they have in the future beyond LaMelo Ball, April will be remembered as a time where the rest of the team had a chance to grow together. Gordon Hayward played in one game in April and Ball missed the whole month. The Hornets were not good this month, managing just a 6-10 record. However, the play of two of their key young players caught plenty of attention.

Miles Bridges has been turning into something more than just a highlight reel dunker. In April. he was the second-leading scorer on the team, just 0.1 points per game behind Terry Rozier (19.2 to 19.1). Bridges was more efficient, shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 46.7 percent on 6.7 3-point attempts per game. He added in 7.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Bridges had developed a chemistry with Ball and it is promising to see him continue his production without the lead guard.

PJ Washington has been similarly impressive; functioning as the de facto small-ball center. He averaged 15.2 points this month while shooting 43.0 percent from long range. The development for both of these players is essential for any future Hornets team and ranks as far more important than any run to the postseason this year.