The Charlotte Hornets opened the 2017-2018 NBA season in Detroit with a 102-90 loss.
The Hornets had their backs against the wall before tip. They were without two starters in Nicholas Batum and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and back up point guard Michael Carter-Williams also missed the game due to injury. That meant more minutes for rookies Malik Monk and Dwayne Bacon. Bacon got his first career start at small forward. Journeyman point guard Julyan Stone would take over back up point guard duty. Head coach Steve Clifford decided to go with a starting line up of Kemba Walker, Jeremy Lamb, Bacon, Marvin Williams and Dwight Howard.