Charlotte Hornets News

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LaMelo Ball • PG • Hornets

LaMelo Ball Available Against Atlanta

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) is available for Thursday's meeting with the Hawks. On a night when Atlanta will get Trae Young (knee) back in the lineup, Ball will return from a three-game absence. However, the 24-year-old will be on a minutes restriction, so his fantasy ceiling will be considerably lower. Although he's still a must-start in season-long fantasy formats, DFS managers may want to look in another direction.

14 hours ago

LaMelo Ball • PG • Hornets

LaMelo Ball Upgraded to Probable for Thursday

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) was listed as questionable for Thursday night's home game against the Hawks, but he was upgraded to probable on Thursday afternoon and should be ready to go against Trae Young (knee), who is also lined up to return, according to the latest reports. Ball has missed three games with his most recent left ankle bone bruise, and his return will likely send Sion James back to the bench. In his 16 games, Ball is averaging 19.4 points, 8.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 28.9 minutes per contest. He'll likely be eased back into the rotation on Thursday, but he only missed three games, so he should be ready for a big enough role to be deployed as you normally would in his return to the court.

17 hours ago

Collin Sexton • PG • Hornets

Collin Sexton Out on Thursday

Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sexton (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Atlanta Hawks, missing a fifth consecutive game. Sexton strained his left quadriceps earlier this month. He has been mainly used as a spark plug off the bench this season, averaging 15.5 points and 4.2 assists in 25.2 minutes. Tre Mann (knee) is also out on Thursday, while LaMelo Ball (ankle) is considered questionable. In this situation, players like Sion James and KJ Simpson could be fantasy options in a good matchup against a fast-paced team with a mediocre defense.

Yesterday

LaMelo Ball • PG • Hornets

LaMelo Ball Questionable to Play Thursday

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. He is dealing with yet another ankle issue, sitting out three straight games. Sion James and KJ Simpson have received opportunities in the first unit during Ball's absence. James started the most recent game against the Cleveland Cavaliers but had a tough time. He shot only 3-for-9 from the field to finish with nine points, seven rebounds, three assists, and one block in 37 minutes.

Yesterday

Collin Sexton • PG • Hornets

Collin Sexton Unavailable Against Cleveland

Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sexton (quadriceps) won't play on Sunday against Cleveland, marking his fourth-straight absence. With LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Tre Mann (knee) also on the shelf, there will be extra minutes up for grabs, which Sexton likely would have absorbed. However, with Sexton sidelined as well, KJ Simpson may get another start. The 23-year-old has averaged 13.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in two starts this season. While that won't make him a practical option in some fantasy formats, he should draw more interest from DFS participants for value reasons despite a challenging game on tap.

4 days ago

LaMelo Ball • PG • Hornets

LaMelo Ball Misses Third Straight Game

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) will miss Sunday's game against Cleveland, extending his absence to three straight contests with a left ankle bone bruise. Ball remains a firm hold, but Charlotte's short-handed backcourt continues to reshape the rotation. With Collin Sexton (quadriceps) and Tre Mann (knee) also sidelined, KJ Simpson has averaged 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.3 steals over his last three while pushing 27.5 minutes, making him a deeper-league option. Rookie Sion James has also picked up consistent minutes, but the fantasy ceiling stays limited outside of scoring bursts.

5 days ago

Moussa Diabaté • PF • Hornets

Moussa Diabate Available on Friday

Charlotte Hornets center Moussa Diabate (knee) has been upgraded to available for Friday's game against the Chicago Bulls. He was previously listed as questionable, but is now set to return after a one-game absence. Diabate figures to return to his role as the primary backup center to Ryan Kalkbrenner. This season, Diabate is averaging 8.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists across 22.4 minutes per game. His overall ceiling is limited with Kalkbrenner being the starting big man. He offers low-end streaming appeal ahead of Friday's contest.

6 days ago

Collin Sexton • PG • Hornets

Collin Sexton Sidelined Again Versus Bulls

Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sexton (quadriceps) will miss his third straight game Friday against Chicago due to a left quad strain, with his next chance to return Sunday in Cleveland. His absence keeps Charlotte thin in the backcourt alongside LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Tre Mann (knee), pushing more responsibility to younger options. KJ Simpson logged 16 points, five rebounds, and one assist in 29 minutes in his last start, giving him deep-league streaming appeal. Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller should continue handling added usage, while Sexton remains a clear hold in standard formats.

6 days ago

LaMelo Ball • PG • Hornets

LaMelo Ball Sidelined for Friday

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) is out for Friday's clash with the Chicago Bulls. Ball will miss his second consecutive game due to a left ankle bruise. His next chance to return will come on Sunday versus the Cavs. Fantasy managers should expect that he will likely carry a questionable tag ahead of Sunday's contest. Across 16 games this season, the 24-year-old is averaging 19.4 points, 8.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 28.9 minutes per contest.

7 days ago

LaMelo Ball • PG • Hornets

LaMelo Ball Won't Suit Up Against Denver

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) won't suit up on Sunday versus the Nuggets. He injured his left ankle in Friday's win over the Toronto Raptors. Luckily, Charlotte won't play again until Friday against the visiting Chicago Bulls, so he'll have some extra time to rest. With Collin Sexton (quadriceps) out as well, KJ Simpson, who logged 28 minutes on Friday, could enter the starting lineup. However, he only had eight points while committing seven turnovers, so he's not the safest streaming option by any means. Tidjane Salaun, coming off a 21-point effort, might also be in line for more minutes and scoring chances.

Dec 7

Tre Mann • PG • Hornets

Tre Mann Misses Third Consecutive Game

Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's meeting with the Toronto Raptors. He is struggling to overcome a knee problem, missing a third consecutive game. Mann's absence opens up minutes for players like Liam McNeeley and KJ Simpson. However, neither player has had a significant role in the rotation, and fantasy managers should ignore them. Mann's next chance to return will be on Sunday against the Denver Nuggets.

Dec 5

Ryan Kalkbrenner • C • Hornets

Ryan Kalkbrenner Available Friday

Charlotte Hornets center Ryan Kalkbrenner (ankle) will suit up for Friday's clash against the Toronto Raptors. He injured his left ankle in Wednesday's loss to the New York Knicks, but Charlotte has upgraded Kalkbrenner's status from questionable to available. Kalkbrenner has averaged 7.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across two prior meetings with the Raptors this season. It's a tough matchup for the rookie big man against Austrian veteran Jakob Poeltl.

Dec 5

LaMelo Ball • PG • Hornets

LaMelo Ball Upgraded to Available

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball (wrist) will play in Friday's contest against the Toronto Raptors. The team has upgraded his status from probable to available. Ball will make his sixth consecutive appearance and is fresh off his second-highest scoring game of the season. In Wednesday's 119-104 loss to the New York Knicks, Ball posted 34 points with 5-for-13 three-point shooting. Toronto has shown top-10 defensive numbers against point guards this season, making it challenging for Ball to replicate this performance on Friday night.

Dec 5

Brandon Miller • SF • Hornets

Brandon Miller Returns to Action Friday

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Brandon Miller (shoulder) has been cleared to play on Friday versus the Toronto Raptors. He has missed two games due to a left shoulder problem. It has been an issue for Miller all season, limiting him to six appearances. He is averaging a career-low 17.0 points in 25.0 minutes. Miller may also have trouble scoring on Friday night, as he will go up against the eighth-most efficient defense in the league.

Dec 5

Brandon Miller • SF • Hornets

Brandon Miller Trending Toward A Return To The Court

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Brandon Miller (shoulder) has been upgraded to probable ahead of the team's Friday night date with the Toronto Raptors. The 23-year-old was sidelined for the last two games with a left shoulder issue. That's the same shoulder that caused him to miss 13 games earlier this season. His anticipated return likely means rookie guard Sion James moves back to the bench. Miller is averaging 17 points, two rebounds, and three assists in 25 minutes of play in his six appearances this season.

Dec 5

LaMelo Ball • PG • Hornets

LaMelo Ball Probable To Play Through Wrist Sprain Friday

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (wrist) is probable for Friday's game in Toronto after posting 34 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists in 36 minutes Wednesday. He has averaged 17.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 8.0 assists over his last five, though efficiency sits at 36.5 percent from the field. He remains a must-start if active. Brandon Miller (shoulder) is questionable, which could funnel extra touches to Ball and Miles Bridges while keeping KJ Simpson and Sion James in secondary roles.

Dec 5

Collin Sexton • PG • Hornets

Collin Sexton Injured in Loss to Knicks

Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sexton (thigh) exited Wednesday's loss to the New York Knicks. He did not return. With LaMelo Ball (wrist) available, Sexton came off the bench. Unfortunately, he ended up logging only nine minutes before suffering a thigh injury, finishing with four points. The 26-year-old has shuffled between the starting lineup and reserve roles throughout the 2025 campaign. However, no matter his role, he's still played well enough to be considered an every day fantasy option in all formats despite not doing much outside of his contributions on the scoring end. Charlotte won't play again until Friday in Toronto. If Sexton doesn't suit up, there are several directions head coach Charles Lee may go with the rotation, with Liam McNeeley and Tidjane Salaun the favorites to see more work. There's also a chance KJ Simpson gets the bump up from the G League.

Dec 4

LaMelo Ball • PG • Hornets

LaMelo Ball Good to Go on Wednesday

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (wrist) is available for Wednesday's game against the Knicks. The 2020 No. 3 overall pick has been listed on the injury report plenty of times throughout the 2025 campaign, mostly due to ankle issues. However, wrist soreness won't be enough to keep him off the floor, and he'll now suit up for his fifth-straight contest. Ball has struggled offensively this season, amassing 18.9 points per contest, although he's made up for it by averaging a career-high 8.9 assists. As always, he should be featured in all fantasy lineups, although DFS managers may want to tread carefully, considering the Knicks have been sound defensively all season.

Dec 4

LaMelo Ball • PG • Hornets

LaMelo Ball Expected to Play on Wednesday

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (wrist) is tagged as probable ahead of Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks. Ball has been battling with wrist soreness, but is expected to play through the pain. It didn't seem to affect his performance, as he scored 12 points with 14 assists during Monday's game. The absence of Brandon Miller (shoulder) should mean increased ball-handling responsibilities for Ball. It doesn't seem like fantasy managers should be worried about the wrist issue right now.

Dec 2

Brandon Miller • SF • Hornets

Brandon Miller Ruled Out for Wednesday's Game

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Brandon Miller (shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Wednesday's game versus the New York Knicks. Miller is set to miss his second straight game after being scratched from Monday's contest due to a shoulder issue. It's worth noting that Miller missed time earlier in the season due to a left shoulder injury. It's possible that Miller re-aggravated the issue during Saturday's game. Regardless, Miller will miss his second straight game, but is tagged as day-to-day ahead of Friday's matchup versus the Toronto Raptors. His absence on Wednesday should mean more run for Sion James and Collin Sexton. Between the two, Sexton is the better fantasy option with six-straight games with 15 points or more.

Dec 2

Charlotte Hornets News

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