 In order to allow for a full recovery of the New Orleans market in the wake of the storm , the NBA announced on January 31 , 2006 , that the Hornets would remain in Oklahoma City for the 2006 – 07 season and return for the 2007 – 08 season . The league also announced that New Orleans would play host for the 2008 All @-@ Star Game , in addition to hosting the team for six of their 41 home games during the season . Although guarantees by the league and organization indicated a return for 2007 – 08 , many fans in New Orleans were still skeptical of a permanent return due to the popularity of the team in Oklahoma City . Meanwhile , the Hornets opened their season in Oklahoma City with a 26 @-@ point win over the Sacramento Kings on November 1 , 2005 . They played their first game in Louisiana in a loss to the Phoenix Suns on December 21 , 2005 , and they played the first professional sports event in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina on March 8 , 2006 , where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers . The Hornets completed the 2005 – 06 season by winning 38 games , tenth in the Western Conference . They became the first team since the 1974 – 75 Boston Celtics to play home games at four separate venues : the Ford Center in Oklahoma City , the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans , the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge , and the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman , Oklahoma . The Hornets had finished last in attendance in the previous season in New Orleans , but playing in Ford Center , they averaged 18 @,@ 168 fans , a 78 % increase . Referring to the fan support in Oklahoma City , Hornets star Chris Paul said that " You get a feeling you 're a part of something special " ; mayor Mick Cornett said , " My expectations were lofty , but we 've exceeded them . " 
