2005–06 New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets season

The 2005–06 New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets season was the team's 4th season in the NBA. They began the season hoping to improve upon their 18–64 record from the previous season (worst in the Western Conference that year). They finished the season with a 38–44 record, missing the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Before the commencement of training camp, the City of New Orleans was hit by Hurricane Katrina. With the New Orleans Arena partly damaged and the city's infrastructure in need of repair the Hornets signed a deal to play most of their games in Oklahoma City, becoming the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets for this season. In Oklahoma City, the Hornets enjoyed sell-out crowds at the Ford Center.

The addition of draft pick Chris Paul resulted in the team competing for a playoff spot. In January and February, the club played winning basketball despite losing Chris Andersen to a two-year suspension for illegal drugs. Paul showed the poise and play making skills of a veteran finishing second in steals and seventh in assists as he posted a terrific 3.34 assist-to-turnover ratio, while leading all rookies with 16.1 points per game.

On March 8, the Hornets returned to New Orleans with a near sell-out crowd on hand to watch the Hornets lose to the Los Angeles Lakers 113–107. In March, the Hornets went into a tailspin, winning just 3 of 14 games. The Hornets went on to finish in 4th place in their division. Chris Paul was named Rookie of the Year.

Game log

 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1
 * November 1
 * Sacramento
 * 93–67
 * P. J. Brown (20)
 * David West (11)
 * Speedy Claxton & Chris Paul (4)
 * Ford Center 19,163
 * 1–0
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 2
 * November 2
 * @ Cleveland
 * 87–109
 * Speedy Claxton (16)
 * Chris Andersen (8)
 * Boštjan Nachbar (6)
 * Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
 * 1–1
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 3
 * November 5
 * @ Houston
 * 91–84
 * P. J. Brown (18)
 * P. J. Brown (13)
 * Claxton & Paul (8)
 * Toyota Center 15,875
 * 2–1
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 4
 * November 9
 * Orlando
 * 83–88
 * Speedy Claxton (24)
 * P. J. Brown (10)
 * Speedy Claxton (6)
 * Ford Center 18,508
 * 2–2
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 5
 * November 12
 * Dallas
 * 103–109
 * Chris Paul (26)
 * P. J. Brown (7)
 * Speedy Claxton (7)
 * Ford Center 19,163
 * 2–3
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 6
 * November 15
 * @ Miami
 * 102–109 (OT)
 * P. J. Brown (24)
 * P. J. Brown (12)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * American Airlines Arena 19,600
 * 2–4
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 7
 * November 16
 * Denver
 * 81–91
 * Chris Paul (18)
 * Brown, Paul, & West (9)
 * Kirk Snyder (5)
 * Ford Center 18,442
 * 2–5
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 8
 * November 18
 * Atlanta
 * 95–92
 * Chris Paul (25)
 * Chris Andersen (18)
 * Chris Paul (12)
 * Ford Center 17,554
 * 3–5
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 9
 * November 19
 * @ Orlando
 * 98–95
 * David West (34)
 * Andersen & West (8)
 * Chris Paul (8)
 * TD Waterhouse Centre 14,489
 * 4–5
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 10
 * November 21
 * @ Philadelphia
 * 91–103
 * David West (20)
 * David West (9)
 * Chris Paul (6)
 * Wachovia Center 12,452
 * 4–6
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 11
 * November 23
 * Minnesota
 * 84–80
 * David West (22)
 * David West (13)
 * Chris Paul (8)
 * Ford Center 19,163
 * 5–6
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 12
 * November 26
 * @ Seattle
 * 105–99
 * David West (21)
 * Desmond Mason & Paul (7)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * Key Arena 16,371
 * 6–6
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 13
 * November 28
 * @ Golden State
 * 83–99
 * Chris Paul (15)
 * David West (11)
 * Speedy Claxton (9)
 * Oakland Arena 16,270
 * 6–7
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 14
 * November 30
 * @ Denver
 * 102–95
 * Desmond Mason (26)
 * P. J. Brown (12)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * Pepsi Center 15,603
 * 7–7


 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 15
 * December 2
 * Philadelphia
 * 88–86
 * David West (22)
 * P. J. Brown (14)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * Ford Center 19,163
 * 8–7
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 16
 * December 3
 * @ Dallas
 * 88–97
 * Chris Paul (25)
 * Brown & Paul (6)
 * Chris Paul (5)
 * American Airlines Center 19,651
 * 8–8
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 17
 * December 6
 * @ Memphis
 * 73–89
 * Mason & West (15)
 * Chris Andersen (10)
 * Paul, J. R. Smith, & Claxton (4)
 * FedEx Forum 13,271
 * 8–9
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 18
 * December 7
 * Boston
 * 87–101
 * David West (29)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * Chris Paul (6)
 * Ford Center 18,753
 * 8–10
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 19
 * December 9
 * @ Portland
 * 95–98 (OT)
 * Speedy Claxton (27)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * Rose Garden 12,305
 * 8–11
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 20
 * December 11
 * @ Sacramento
 * 100–110
 * Chris Paul (18)
 * P. J. Brown (8)
 * Chris Paul (12)
 * ARCO Arena 17,317
 * 8–12
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 21
 * December 12
 * @ Phoenix
 * 91–87
 * J. R. Smith (26)
 * J. R. Smith (10)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * America West Arena 15,547
 * 9–12
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 22
 * December 14
 * LA Clippers
 * 102–89
 * J. R. Smith (21)
 * David West (12)
 * Chris Paul (8)
 * Ford Center 17,490
 * 10–12
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 23
 * December 16
 * Phoenix
 * 88–101
 * Chris Paul (25)
 * Brown & West (13)
 * Chris Paul (6)
 * Pete Maravich Assembly Center 7,302
 * 10–13
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 24
 * December 18
 * San Antonio
 * 89–76
 * David West (19)
 * Chris Paul (12)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * Ford Center 19,297
 * 11–13
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 25
 * December 21
 * @ Minnesota
 * 69–88
 * Chris Paul (15)
 * P. J. Brown (9)
 * Speedy Claxton (4)
 * Target Center 14,454
 * 11–14
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 26
 * December 23
 * @ Milwaukee
 * 94–101
 * David West (27)
 * David West (18)
 * Chris Paul (8)
 * Bradley Center 16,824
 * 11–15
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 27
 * December 28
 * Houston
 * 92–90
 * J. R. Smith (16)
 * Brown & West (7)
 * Chris Paul (15)
 * Ford Center 19,205
 * 12–15
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 28
 * December 29
 * @ San Antonio
 * 84–111
 * David West (18)
 * P. J. Brown (6)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * AT&T Center 18,797
 * 12–16
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 29
 * December 31
 * Dallas
 * 90–95
 * David West (18)
 * David West (10)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * Ford Center 19,170
 * 12–17


 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 30
 * January 2
 * Charlotte
 * 103–86
 * Chris Paul (24)
 * Mason & West (9)
 * Chris Paul (11)
 * Ford Center 17,683
 * 13–17
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 31
 * January 4
 * Miami
 * 107–92
 * Desmond Mason (24)
 * Mason & West (7)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * Ford Center 19,326
 * 14–17
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 32
 * January 6
 * Portland
 * 90–80
 * Kirk Snyder (22)
 * David West (13)
 * Speedy Claxton (7)
 * Ford Center 18,995
 * 14–18
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 33
 * January 7
 * @ Atlanta
 * 93–101
 * Speedy Claxton (29)
 * David West (9)
 * Kirk Snyder (4)
 * Philips Arena 11,332
 * 14–19
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 34
 * January 10
 * Detroit
 * 86–96
 * David West (20)
 * P. J. Brown (9)
 * Chris Paul (5)
 * Ford Center 19,260
 * 15–19
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 35
 * January 13
 * Sacramento
 * 90–76
 * David West (19)
 * Chris Paul (8)
 * Speedy Claxton (8)
 * Lloyd Noble Center 11,343
 * 16–19
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 36
 * January 14
 * @ Houston
 * 86–80
 * Chris Paul (17)
 * P. J. Brown (10)
 * Chris Paul (5)
 * Toyota Center 14,724
 * 17–19
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 37
 * January 16
 * @ Charlotte
 * 107–92
 * Chris Paul (24)
 * David West (11)
 * Chris Paul (6)
 * Charlotte Bobcats Arena 15,303
 * 18–19
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 38
 * January 18
 * Memphis
 * 87–79
 * Chris Paul (16)
 * David West (14)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * Ford Center 14,554
 * 19–19
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 39
 * January 20
 * @ Washington
 * 99–110
 * Chris Paul (28)
 * David West (7)
 * Chris Paul (11)
 * Verizon Center 19,062
 * 19–20
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 40
 * January 21
 * @ New York
 * 109–98
 * Chris Paul (27)
 * P. J. Brown (9)
 * Chris Paul (13)
 * Madison Square Garden 19,763
 * 20–20
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 41
 * January 23
 * @ Boston
 * 78–91
 * David West (21)
 * P. J. Brown (8)
 * Chris Paul (6)
 * TD Banknorth Garden 14,473
 * 20–21
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 42
 * January 25
 * San Antonio
 * 68–84
 * Rasual Butler & West (15)
 * P. J. Brown (9)
 * Chris Paul (4)
 * Ford Center 19,289
 * 20–22
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 43
 * January 28
 * @ Memphis
 * 95–86
 * Speedy Claxton (20)
 * David West (12)
 * Chris Paul (8)
 * FedExForum 16,228
 * 21–22
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 44
 * January 30
 * Milwaukee
 * 94–93
 * David West (24)
 * David West (15)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * Ford Center 18,197
 * 22–22


 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 45
 * February 1
 * Chicago
 * 100–95
 * Chris Paul (25)
 * Brown & West (6)
 * Chris Paul (13)
 * Ford Center 19,163
 * 23–22
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 46
 * February 4
 * LA Lakers
 * 106–90
 * Desmond Mason (21)
 * P. J. Brown (9)
 * Chris Paul (13)
 * Ford Center 19,334
 * 24–22
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 47
 * February 6
 * @ New Jersey
 * 91–99
 * Speedy Claxton (23)
 * Mason & Paul (7)
 * Chris Paul (13)
 * Continental Airlines Arena 13,998
 * 24–23
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 48
 * February 8
 * Seattle
 * 109–102
 * David West (26)
 * David West (10)
 * Kirk Snyder (12)
 * Ford Center 18,807
 * 25–23
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 49
 * February 10
 * New York
 * 111–100
 * David West (21)
 * David West (10)
 * Speedy Claxton (11)
 * Ford Center 19,163
 * 26–23
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 50
 * February 11
 * @ Minnesota
 * 100–94
 * Claxton & Snyder (28)
 * Desmond Mason (9)
 * Speedy Claxton (7)
 * Target Center 15,933
 * 27–23
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 51
 * February 13
 * Washington
 * 97–96
 * David West (19)
 * David West (9)
 * Speedy Claxton (10)
 * Ford Center 18,678
 * 28–23
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 52
 * February 15
 * Portland
 * 102–86
 * Kirk Snyder (22)
 * Rasual Butler (9)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * Ford Center 19,051
 * 29–23
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 53
 * February 21
 * @ Indiana
 * 75–97
 * Chris Paul (27)
 * Desmond Mason (7)
 * Chris Paul (6)
 * Conseco Fieldhouse 14,108
 * 29–24
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 54
 * February 22
 * Utah
 * 100–95
 * Chris Paul (18)
 * Aaron Williams (13)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * Ford Center 18,368
 * 29–25
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 55
 * February 25
 * @ Utah
 * 100–95
 * Chris Paul (23)
 * Linton Johnson (11)
 * Chris Paul (8)
 * EnergySolutions Arena 18,471
 * 30–25
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 56
 * February 26
 * @ Portland
 * 102–86
 * David West (22)
 * Marc Jackson (8)
 * Chris Paul (8)
 * Rose Garden 12,860
 * 31–25
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 57
 * February 28
 * @ Seattle
 * 104–114
 * Chris Paul (25)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * Chris Paul (14)
 * Key Arena 15,115
 * 31–26


 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 58
 * March 1
 * @ LA Clippers
 * 67–89
 * Desmond Mason (20)
 * P. J. Brown (11)
 * Chris Paul (12)
 * Staples Center 16,157
 * 31–27
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 59
 * March 6
 * Phoenix
 * 88–101
 * David West (20)
 * David West (8)
 * Chris Paul (11)
 * Ford Center 19,207
 * 31–28
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 60
 * March 8
 * LA Lakers
 * 107–113
 * David West (25)
 * Kirk Snyder (6)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * New Orleans Arena 17,744
 * 31–29
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 61
 * March 10
 * Indiana
 * 90–92
 * David West (20)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * Chris Paul (8)
 * Ford Center 18,506
 * 31–30
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 62
 * March 12
 * New Jersey
 * 84–95
 * Chris Paul (17)
 * P. J. Brown (8)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * Ford Center 19,198
 * 31–31
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 63
 * March 14
 * @ San Antonio
 * 81–96
 * Jackson & Paul (16)
 * Rasual Butler (8)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * AT&T Center 18,797
 * 31–32
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 64
 * March 18
 * Denver
 * 94–109
 * David West (24)
 * P. J. Brown (10)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * New Orleans Arena 17,912
 * 31–33
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 65
 * March 21
 * LA Clippers
 * 120–108
 * Rasual Butler (32)
 * David West (11)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * New Orleans Arena 16,799
 * 32–33
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 66
 * March 23
 * Houston
 * 92–93
 * David West (14)
 * David West (11)
 * Speedy Claxton (10)
 * Ford Center 19,163
 * 32–34
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 67
 * March 24
 * @ Chicago
 * 82–96
 * Chris Paul (13)
 * Brown & Butler (9)
 * Speedy Claxton (6)
 * United Center 21,793
 * 32–35
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 68
 * March 26
 * @ LA Lakers
 * 67–89
 * David West (23)
 * David West (10)
 * Claxton & Paul (6)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 32–36
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 69
 * March 27
 * @ Utah
 * 80–104
 * Rasual Butler (15)
 * P. J. Brown (8)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * EnergySolutions Arena 17,437
 * 32–37
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 70
 * March 29
 * @ Golden State
 * 86–85
 * Rasual Butler (20)
 * Marc Jackson (8)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * Oakland Arena 16,885
 * 33–37
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 71
 * March 31
 * Memphis
 * 107–102
 * Marc Jackson (24)
 * Linton Johnson (8)
 * Speedy Claxton (8)
 * Ford Center 18,817
 * 34–37


 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 72
 * April 2
 * @ Toronto
 * 120–113 (2 OT)
 * Chris Paul (24)
 * Chris Paul (12)
 * Claxton & Paul (12)
 * Air Canada Centre 15,079
 * 35–37
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 73
 * April 4
 * @ Detroit
 * 93–101
 * Paul & West (24)
 * Jackson, Johnson, & West (6)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 35–38
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 74
 * April 5
 * Golden State
 * 114–109 OT
 * Speedy Claxton (21)
 * Butler & Paul (11)
 * Chris Paul (16)
 * Ford Center 18,169
 * 36–38
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 75
 * April 7
 * Toronto
 * 95–89
 * David West (19)
 * David West (9)
 * Chris Paul (8)
 * Ford Center 18,854
 * 37–38
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 76
 * April 8
 * @ Dallas
 * 77–101
 * Rasual Butler (14)
 * Brown & Butler (7)
 * Chris Paul (5)
 * American Airlines Center 20,336
 * 37–39
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 77
 * April 10
 * Cleveland
 * 101–103
 * Chris Paul (22)
 * P. J. Brown (10)
 * Chris Paul (5)
 * Ford Center 19,187
 * 37–40
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 78
 * April 12
 * Seattle
 * 104–99
 * Chris Paul (21)
 * Marc Jackson (14)
 * Chris Paul (6)
 * Ford Center 18,607
 * 38–40
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 79
 * April 14
 * Utah
 * 104–105
 * David West (31)
 * David West (12)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * Ford Center 19,163
 * 38–41
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 80
 * April 16
 * @ Sacramento
 * 79–96
 * Chris Paul (12)
 * Brandon Bass (7)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * ARCO Arena 17,317
 * 38–42
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 81
 * April 17
 * @ Phoenix
 * 78–115
 * Jackson & Paul (11)
 * Linton Johnson (7)
 * Chris Paul (5)
 * US Airways Arena 18,442
 * 38–43
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 82
 * April 19
 * @ LA Lakers
 * 95–115
 * P. J. Brown (16)
 * Marc Jackson (13)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 38–44

Player statistics
Bold leads team. Minimum of ten games started. Reference:

Awards

 * Chris Paul, NBA Rookie of the Year Award
 * Chris Paul, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team