Williams: Hornets can't rest on playoff clincher

Hornets coach Monty Williams says now is no time for the Hornets to start celebrating, no matter how unexpected their newly clinched playoff berth may be.

The 39-year-old rookie coach is being congratulated from all sides after what he's accomplished with a franchise that missed last season's playoffs, is in an ownership transition, has 10 players who weren't with the team a year ago and lost top forward David West to injury last month.

Yet Williams says the Hornets will regret it if they rest on what they've accomplished so far.

The Hornets have four regular season games left and may need to win them to avoid a first-round matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers, who've beaten New Orleans in all four meetings this season.