Charlotte Hornets News

EASTERN SOUTHEAST

Coby White • SG • Hornets

Hornets Want to Bring Back Coby White

Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White is set to test the open market this offseason. Although Charlotte will look into bringing back White on a long-term deal. After trading for White at the deadline, Charlotte inherited his Bird rights. That means Charlotte could technically exceed the salary cap to retain White. Given the Hornets' current financial situation, they shouldn't need to do that to re-sign White to a long-term deal. In 21 games with the Hornets, White averaged 15.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists with nearly a 40 percent shooting performance from deep. It's unclear what kind of role White would have on this team long-term, but his presence could certainly be an asset. White is from the North Carolina area and appears to have enjoyed his time with the organization. It sounds like a reunion could happen, but it depends on what kind of deal White is seeking in free agency.

Yesterday

LaMelo Ball • PG • Hornets

LaMelo Ball Scores 23 Points in Season-Ending Loss

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball recorded 23 points (7-for-17 on field goals, 3-for-8 from three, and 6-for-6 on free throws), five assists, and two rebounds in 25 minutes during Friday's Play-In loss to Orlando, ending the Hornets' season. Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 28.0 minutes across 72 games, maintaining strong per-game production despite reduced minutes. His usage remains secure entering next season, with offense flowing through him. Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges should continue handling secondary scoring roles alongside Ball's playmaking.

3 days ago

Moussa Diabaté • PF • Hornets

Moussa Diabate is Available on Friday

Charlotte Hornets center Moussa Diabate (hip) is available to play ahead of Friday's Play-In game against the Orlando Magic. Diabate will shake the questionable tag and suit up for this elimination contest. The big man finished with eight points and 14 rebounds during the first Play-In victory over the Miami Heat. He played 36 minutes during that game and figures to have a similar role during Friday's game. DFS players should take a look at Diabte as a possible double-double threat against the Magic. Ryan Kalkbrenner and Grant Williams will see backup minutes behind him, but they won't be as appealing DFS options.

3 days ago

Moussa Diabaté • PF • Hornets

Moussa Diabate Listed as Questionable for Friday

Charlotte Hornets center Moussa Diabate (hip) is considered questionable for Friday's Play-In Tournament matchup against the Orlando Magic. Charlotte may be without its starting center for the win-or-go-home game, as Diabate has landed on the injury report with a sore left hip. The 24-year-old is coming off an eight-point, 14-rebound effort in Tuesday's win over Miami. If Diabate can't get on the floor on Friday, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Grant Williams are likely to get the bulk of the work at center. Xavier Tillman may also enter the rotation.

4 days ago

LaMelo Ball • PG • Hornets

LaMelo Ball Receives $60,000 Fine for Tuesday's Actions

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball has been fined $60,000 for his actions involving Tuesday's play-in game against the Miami Heat, ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk reports. Ball was fined $35,000 "for making unnecessary and reckless contact" with Miami's Bam Adebayo. The Hornets star was not called for a foul during the game, but he was assessed a flagrant foul 2 after the league reviewed the incident, which forced Adebayo to leave the game early with a lower back injury. Additionally, the NBA fined Ball $25,000 for using profane language in a TV interview after the game. Charlotte will be happy to know that Ball was only fined for the Adebayo incident and didn't receive a suspension. The team will hope to see him lead the Hornets into the playoffs for the first time since 2016 with a victory over Orlando on Friday.

5 days ago

Bam Adebayo • C • Heat |

LaMelo Ball • PG • Hornets

NBA Investigating LaMelo Ball's Trip of Bam Adebayo

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball is being investigated by the NBA for his trip of Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo (back) in Tuesday's Play-In Tournament game, ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk reports. The two collided in the second quarter, and Adebayo exited the game after the incident due to a lower-back injury. Sources have told ESPN's Shams Charania that the NBA has contacted both teams and will interview Ball. A ruling is expected before Friday's play-in game, in which the Hornets will face the loser of Wednesday's Philadelphia-Orlando matchup. It's possible the Ball play will be upgraded to a flagrant foul 1 or 2, but there likely won't be a suspension. Ball scored a game-winning layup in Tuesday's 127-126 overtime victory, finishing with 30 points, five rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, and one block.

5 days ago

Miles Bridges • SF • Hornets

Miles Bridges Caps Off Big Night With Game-Winning Block

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges had one of his best performances of the season in Tuesday's play-in game against the Miami Heat, contributing 28 points, nine rebounds, two assists, one steal, and three blocks in a 127-126 overtime win. Bridges' last block of the night came at the buzzer in overtime when Davion Mitchell attempted to win the game for Miami. Early in the contest, Bridges stood out on the offensive end, scoring 10 first-quarter points. He went 10-for-18 from the floor and 5-for-10 from outside during the game. Bridges has averaged fewer than 30 minutes per game since February, but he led the Hornets with 43 minutes on Tuesday night. The 28-year-old will look to make a similar impact in Friday's play-in game, where Charlotte meets the loser of Wednesday's matchup between Orlando and Philadelphia.

6 days ago

LaMelo Ball • PG • Hornets

LaMelo Ball Leads Hornets to Victory Versus Heat

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball played a key role in Tuesday's 127-126 overtime victory in the Play-In Tournament against the Miami Heat. He capped off the big performance with a game-winning layup 4.7 seconds from the end of overtime. Ball ended the contest with 30 points, five rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, and one block. He became the fourth player with at least 30 points and 10 assists in a play-in game. However, Ball's scoring was inefficient during the night due to his poor 2-for-16 effort from three-point land. He finished 12-for-31 overall from the field. The Hornets star has now finished three consecutive outings with below 40 percent efficiency from the field. Still, he's done a good job leading his team into Friday's final play-in game and will certainly be heavily involved in the action again on Friday night.

6 days ago

Coby White • SG • Hornets

Coby White Ruled Out Tuesday

Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (groin) is out for Tuesday's game against Boston due to left groin tightness, opening reserve guard minutes with the regular season winding down. Tre Mann could reenter the rotation after a recent DNP, while Sion James may see more run after finishing with five points, one three-pointer, five rebounds, four assists, and one steal in his last outing. LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller should also handle more creation duties. Mann and James are only deep-league streamers if they crack 15 to 20 minutes, while White can be safely dropped in most redraft formats.

Apr 7

Moussa Diabaté • PF • Hornets

Moussa Diabate Back in Lineup Sunday

Charlotte Hornets center Moussa Diabate (ankle) is available Sunday against Minnesota after missing one game. His return likely sends Ryan Kalkbrenner back to a reserve role and could push Xavier Tillman out of the rotation. Diabate has averaged 7.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks across 26.6 minutes over his last 10 games, giving him deep-league value for rebounds and defensive stats. He could provide late-season category help in those areas, while Kalkbrenner may see his minutes and fantasy value take a step back.

Apr 5

Moussa Diabaté • PF • Hornets |

Ryan Kalkbrenner • C • Hornets

Moussa Diabate Out, Ryan Kalkbrenner Starting Friday

Charlotte Hornets center Moussa Diabate (ankle) won't play in Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers, while center Ryan Kalkbrenner will move into the starting lineup. Kalkbrenner becomes a viable deep-league streamer after producing eight points, seven rebounds, one assist, one steal, and four blocks in 23 minutes during his last outing. His shot-blocking gives him immediate category value. LaMelo Ball could see a slight usage increase, while Miles Bridges may grab more rebounds with Diabate out. Kalkbrenner is mainly a blocks specialist, but he is a sensible short-term add for managers chasing defensive production.

Apr 3

Kon Knueppel • SG • Hornets

Kon Knueppel Active Against Kings

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Kon Knueppel (back) is available to suit up Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings. The 20-year-old rookie is good to go despite dealing with a lower back issue. Knueppel has missed just one game during his first NBA campaign, averaging 19.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. He will look to bounce back from a subpar outing on Saturday against Memphis, as he collected just nine points on 3-for-9 shooting.

Mar 24

Pat Connaughton • SG • Hornets

Pat Connaughton Sidelined on Tuesday

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Pat Connaughton (illness) is unavailable for Tuesday's matchup with the Sacramento Kings. Connaughton will sit out tonight's game due to an illness. The 33-year-old veteran forward is averaging 2.9 points and 1.5 rebounds in 7.4 minutes per contest across 35 appearances this season. He typically isn't a fantasy factor, as he's rarely in the Hornets' rotation.

Mar 24

Kon Knueppel • SG • Hornets

Kon Knueppel Probable Tuesday

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Kon Knueppel (back) is considered probable for Tuesday's matchup with the Sacramento Kings. The 20-year-old rookie is dealing with a lower back issue, but it doesn't seem to be very serious. Knueppel has sat out just one game during his first NBA season, averaging 19.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. He will look to rebound from a poor performance on Tuesday, having tallied only nine points on 3-for-9 shooting in Saturday's win over Memphis.

Mar 24

Ryan Kalkbrenner • C • Hornets

Ryan Kalkbrenner Added to Injury Report as Probable

Charlotte Hornets center Ryan Kalkbrenner (illness) is listed as probable for Wednesday's game against Sacramento after being added late to the injury report. The rookie big man continues to operate as a backup behind Moussa Diabate, which limits his fantasy ceiling despite flashes of efficiency. Kalkbrenner posted 13 points, six rebounds, one assist, and two blocks in 17 minutes during his last appearance and remains a blocks streamer in deeper formats. His role remains capped off the bench, while Diabate should continue to control most center minutes.

Mar 11

Grant Williams • PF • Hornets

Grant Williams Sidelined Against Kings

Charlotte Hornets forward/center Grant Williams (knee) is unavailable for Wednesday's matchup with the Sacramento Kings. Williams will sit out the back end of the team's back-to-back due to knee injury management. Williams finished with three points, one rebound, one assist and two steals across 14 minutes during Tuesday's 103-101 win over the Trail Blazers. His next chance to return to the floor is Saturday on the road against the Spurs. Extra minutes will likely be distributed to Sion James, who collected 11 points in his last outing on Tuesday after scoring a combined 12 points in the previous three contests.

Mar 11

Coby White • SG • Hornets

Coby White Active On Wednesday

Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (calf) is available to suit up on Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings. White sat out the first leg of the team's back-to-back on Tuesday due to left calf injury management. Since moving to Charlotte, White has averaged 12.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 18.3 minutes. Sion James and Josh Green's minutes will be reduced with White returning to the rotation during tonight's tilt.

Mar 11

Coby White • SG • Hornets

Coby White Sits Out First Game of Back-to-Back

Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (calf) won't be in the lineup on Tuesday against the Portland Trail Blazers. The explosive guard is managing a left calf injury and hasn't played in both games during a back-to-back set. He will likely rejoin the lineup on Wednesday night against the Sacramento Kings. Since moving to Charlotte, White has averaged 12.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 18.3 minutes. Sion James and Josh Green will split the available minutes on Tuesday night, but they aren't expected to have a major impact.

Mar 10

Grant Williams • PF • Hornets

Grant Williams Good to Go Friday

Charlotte Hornets forward/center Grant Williams (knee) will rejoin the lineup on Friday against the Miami Heat. He hasn't been listed on the injury report after sitting out the second leg of a back-to-back on Wednesday against Boston. Williams has contributed 7.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 19.9 minutes per game since recovering from a bad knee injury and making his season debut on Jan. 10. On Friday, Williams might be slightly more productive on the offensive end, as Miami allows the sixth-most bench points in the Association.

Mar 5

Coby White • SG • Hornets

Coby White is Available on Wednesday

Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (calf) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game against the Boston Celtics. White appears to be ready to play after sitting out of Tuesday's game due to left calf injury management. White has only made three appearances since being traded to Charlotte from Chicago. He finished with 20 points in 21 minutes of action during his latest game on February 28 versus the Trail Blazers. White has decent upside because of his scoring ability, but he won't be a great option because he'll likely continue to be limited.

Mar 4

Charlotte Hornets News

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