The 1993–94 NBA season was the 6th season for the Charlotte Hornets in which organization, the team would soon struggle as Larry Johnson injured his back?
1993–94 Charlotte Hornets season The 1993–94 NBA season was the 6th season for the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association. During the offseason, the Hornets acquired Hersey Hawkins from the Philadelphia 76ers, and Eddie Johnson from the Seattle SuperSonics. Coming off their first playoff appearance, the Hornets played around .500 for the first half of the season as Johnny Newman was traded to the New Jersey Nets for Rumeal Robinson. However, the team would soon struggle as Larry Johnson injured his back, and second-year star Alonzo Mourning was out with a torn calf muscle and sprained ankle. Without their star players, the Hornets lost 16 of 17 games midway through the season. With the return of Johnson and Mourning, they won 18 of their final 26 games, and finished the season fifth in the Central Division with a 41–41 record. However, it was not enough as they narrowly missed out on a second straight playoff appearance.
1993–94 Detroit Pistons season The 1993–94 NBA season was the Pistons' 46th season in the National Basketball Association, and 37th season in the city of Detroit. During the offseason, the Pistons acquired Sean Elliott from the San Antonio Spurs, signed free agent Greg "Cadillac" Anderson and hired Don Chaney as head coach. Without Alvin Robertson, who was out with a back injury and then traded to the Denver Nuggets in November, the Pistons continued to struggle as Bill Laimbeer retired after an ugly practice scuffle with Isiah Thomas. Things got worse as the team suffered a 14-game losing streak between December and January. At midseason, Olden Polynice was traded to the Sacramento Kings as the Pistons went on to lose their final 13 games of the season, finishing last place in the Central Division with a 20–62 record, their worst record since 1979–80. Top draft pick Lindsey Hunter made the All-Rookie Second Team.