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NBA History > Hornets Histrory >
History of the Oklahoma City Hornets
The Oklahoma City Hornets were not a separate NBA franchise but rather the temporary home of the New Orleans Hornets following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. For two seasons, from 2005 to 2007, the franchise split its home schedule between Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and New Orleans, Louisiana, officially competing as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. Although the arrangement was intended to be temporary, it played a significant role in establishing Oklahoma City as a viable NBA market and ultimately helped pave the way for the arrival of the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008.
Hurricane Katrina Forces Relocation
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, causing catastrophic flooding and widespread destruction throughout New Orleans.
The city became unable to host NBA games as the New Orleans Arena suffered damage and much of the surrounding infrastructure remained unusable.
The Hornets organization needed a temporary home while New Orleans recovered.
After exploring several options, the franchise chose Oklahoma City, where local officials had recently renovated the Ford Center and were eager to prove the city could support an NBA team.
A New Home in Oklahoma City
Beginning with the 2005–06 season, the team officially became known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.
Although New Orleans remained the franchise's permanent home, the Hornets played the majority of their home games at the Ford Center in downtown Oklahoma City.
A limited number of games continued to be played in New Orleans as the city slowly recovered from Hurricane Katrina.
Oklahoma City fans enthusiastically embraced the team, consistently filling the arena and creating one of the league's loudest home-court environments.
The strong attendance surprised many around the NBA and demonstrated that Oklahoma City was capable of supporting a permanent franchise.
Drafting Chris Paul
Just months before relocating, the Hornets selected Chris Paul with the fourth overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft.
Paul immediately became one of the NBA's brightest young stars.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the franchise, he averaged:
- 16.1 points per game
- 7.8 assists per game
- 2.2 steals per game
Paul won the 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, giving fans in Oklahoma City a rising superstar to support.
Building a Contender
The Hornets continued improving during their stay in Oklahoma City.
Key players included:
- Chris Paul
- David West
- Tyson Chandler
- Speedy Claxton
- Bobby Jackson
- Rasual Butler
The team finished 38–44 during the 2005–06 season before improving to 39–43 in 2006–07.
Although they narrowly missed the playoffs both seasons, the foundation for future success had clearly been established.
Returning to New Orleans
For the 2007–08 season, the Hornets returned full-time to New Orleans as the city's recovery progressed.
The franchise rewarded its loyal fan base by producing the greatest season in team history.
Led by Chris Paul, David West, Tyson Chandler, and Peja Stojaković, the Hornets won a franchise-record 56 games, captured the Southwest Division Championship, and advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals.
Impact on Oklahoma City
Although the Hornets stayed only two seasons, their impact on Oklahoma City proved enormous.
The city demonstrated:
- Strong ticket sales
- Passionate fan support
- Corporate sponsorship
- Successful game operations
NBA officials took notice.
When the Seattle SuperSonics relocated in 2008, Oklahoma City was selected as the franchise's permanent home.
The newly renamed Oklahoma City Thunder inherited much of the excitement and basketball culture that had developed during the Hornets' temporary stay.
Home Arenas
| Years |
Arena |
| 2005–2007 |
Ford Center (now Paycom Center), Oklahoma City |
| 2005–2007 |
Selected home games at New Orleans Arena |
Franchise Timeline
| Year |
Event |
| 2005 | Hurricane Katrina forces the temporary relocation of the franchise. |
| 2005 | Team begins playing as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. |
| 2005 | Chris Paul is selected with the fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft. |
| 2006 | Chris Paul wins NBA Rookie of the Year. |
| 2006 | Oklahoma City continues to sell out NBA games. |
| 2007 | Hornets return full-time to New Orleans. |
| 2008 | Seattle SuperSonics relocate to Oklahoma City and become the Thunder. |
Key Players During the Oklahoma City Years
- Chris Paul
- David West
- Tyson Chandler
- Speedy Claxton
- Bobby Jackson
- Rasual Butler
- Jannero Pargo
- Desmond Mason
Notable Coach
Achievements
- Chris Paul named 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year.
- Established Oklahoma City as a successful NBA market.
- Helped lay the foundation for the arrival of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- Maintained franchise stability during one of the most difficult periods in NBA history.
Legacy
The Oklahoma City Hornets represent one of the most unique chapters in NBA history. What began as a temporary relocation due to one of the nation's worst natural disasters became a turning point for professional basketball in Oklahoma. The overwhelming support shown by Oklahoma City fans not only helped stabilize the New Orleans franchise during a difficult time but also convinced the NBA that the city deserved a permanent team.
Although the Hornets returned to New Orleans in 2007, their two-year stay left a lasting legacy. Chris Paul's emergence as an NBA superstar captivated local fans, while the success of the temporary relocation directly influenced the arrival of the Oklahoma City Thunder just one year later. Today, the Oklahoma City Hornets remain a memorable example of resilience, community support, and the unexpected opportunities that can arise from adversity.
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