Some nights it’s the stifling defensive length of the Orlando Magic and the realization that this might take time to come together. Other nights, it’s a shorthanded, fatigued Charlotte Hornets roster that allows for uneven play to be enough.

Sporting a teal warm-up suit with a hoodie, LaMelo Ball emerged from a tunnel and through a specially illuminated entrance made to jazz up the first pregame introduction of the season. The Charlotte Hornets’ star point guard,