The Charlotte Hornets won’t have fans at Spectrum Center during the upcoming regular season until further notice.
“With health and safety as our top priority, the Charlotte Hornets, in consultation with state and local government officials, have determined that home games at Spectrum Center will be held without fans when the 2020-21 NBA season begins,” the Hornets front office said in a statement on Monday.
The Hornets are scheduled to open the preseason against the Toronto Raptors on Dec. 12.
“We will continue to work with state and local health officials, as well as the NBA, to develop a plan that will allow fans to return to Spectrum Center in both a safe and timely manner. We are optimistic that conditions will improve in the coming months and hope to be able to have fans in attendance later in the season.”
Spectrum Center plans to implement enhanced safety procedures and will update the public on when fans can safely return to the arena for games.
Charlotte finished the 2019-20 season with a 23-42 record, narrowly missing the cut to join other teams for the NBA Playoffs at Disney World. A busy offseason for the Hornets after acquiring All-Star Gordon Hayward in a sign-and-trade deal with the Boston Celtics, along with selecting LaMelo Ball at No. 3 in the NBA Draft.
NBA training camps are expected to start around Dec. 1. A short seven weeks after the Los Angeles Lakers won their 17th championship in the NBA Finals.
