What happened: NBA TV analysts singled out Brandon Miller as a "flamethrower," crediting his offensive growth for propelling the Charlotte Hornets early in the 2026-27 regular season. Miller poured in 31 points as Charlotte built an 80-68 advantage on the way to topping the Wizards on Oct. 26.

Why it matters: Miller's emergence as a primary perimeter scorer validates Charlotte's Oct. 19 decision to sign him to a five-year, $209 million contract extension. He became the seventh member of the 2023 NBA draft class to secure a rookie-scale extension before the season tipped off.

What to watch: Charlotte looks to build on its early momentum as the 2026-27 schedule continues.