Grant Williams’ Triumphant Hornets Comeback: 3 Threes Spark 150-Point Rout

Charlotte, N.C. — Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams made a triumphant return to NBA action this week, ending a 14-month rehabilitation from a torn right ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2024-25 campaign. The 27-year-old checked into Saturday’s 150-95 rout of the Utah Jazz and immediately reminded fans why his two-way versatility is so valuable, drilling three three-pointers and grabbing eight rebounds in just 14 energetic minutes off the bench. Williams, acquired by Charlotte at last year’s trade deadline, had not suited up in a regular-season game for the Hornets until this debut. Team doctors officially cleared him earlier in the week, and head coach Charles Lee hinted that the forward would have a “light but impactful” role as he works back to full minutes. “Being back on the floor feels like the culmination of countless hours in the weight room and in physical therapy,” Williams said postgame. “Now it’s about stacking days, helping this locker room, and pushing for a playoff spot.” His timing could not be better. The Hornets, who finished 11th in the East last season, have started the new campaign 3-1 thanks to improved perimeter defense and the rapid development of young guard Collin Sexton. Williams’ ability to guard both front-court spots, space the floor from deep, and communicate on switches gives Charlotte another seasoned voice alongside veterans Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier. Before the injury, Williams averaged 11.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and shot 39.7 % from beyond the arc with the Dallas Mavericks. Charlotte’s front office believes a healthy Williams can replicate — if not surpass — those numbers in a system built around pick-and-pop actions and high-tempo transition. According to assistant coach Jay Hernandez, “Grant’s IQ lets us toggle between small-ball and traditional looks without subbing. That flexibility is huge during grueling East-West trips.” NBA scouts are equally intrigued. One Eastern Conference executive noted that Williams’ contract (two years, $27 million remaining) could become one of the league’s best value deals if his knee holds up and his three-point volume climbs back above five attempts per game. Fantasy managers have already taken notice: Williams’ roster percentage on major platforms jumped nearly 20 % overnight after his efficient season debut. Looking ahead, the Hornets play eight of their next ten games at Spectrum Center, offering Williams a favorable runway to rebuild stamina. If he continues to hit corner threes and anchor small-ball lineups, Charlotte could transform from a play-in hopeful to a legitimate postseason threat by mid-season. For now, the buzz in Buzz City is real: Grant Williams is back, and the Hornets’ ceiling just got a whole lot higher.