Hornets Head to San Antonio as Top Picks Clash, LaMelo Ball Potentially Returns
Injury Report
Hornets: OUT Mark Williams (Back), Gordon Hayward (Calf)
QUESTIONALBLE LaMelo Ball (Ankle), Frank Ntilikina (Leg), P.J. Washington (Ankle), Cody Martin (Groin)
Spurs: OUT Charles Bassey (Knee), Zach Collins (Ankle), Sidy Cissoko (Ankle)
Game Preview
The Hornets (8-27) are headed to San Antonio on Friday to take on the Spurs (6-30). It's been a rough go of late for the Hornets with injuries to a majority of the rotation and starters, winning only once in their last 14 games.
Help appears to be on the horizon though, with LaMelo Ball and Frank Ntilikina both seeing the questionable injury designation for the matchup. Ball has been out since November 26th where he injured his ankle against the Orlando Magic, missing 20 games along the way. Ntilikina has yet to make his season debut as he has rehabbed a leg injury since the pre-season.
If both are indeed able to suit up, the Hornets will be getting some much needed reinforcements with the likes of starters Mark Williams and Gordon Hayward still on the shelf.
The Spurs are an extremely young team overflowing with potential. First-overall pick Victor Wembanyama leads the squad in scoring, with young wings Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson rounding out the exciting young core.
Key Matchup: Brandon Miller vs Victor Wembanyama
Normally the key matchup is players who will be directly guarding each other, or at least play the same position.
These are two teams near the bottom of the conference with eyes more on the future than the present, and it just so happens the futures of these two teams are directly tied together.
Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller will always be mentioned in relation to each other for the rest of their career after being the first and second picks respectively in the 2023 NBA draft.
Both players are off to solid starts to their career, stepping up where their teams need them and showing the skills, versatility, and tantalizing potential that made them the top picks.
Beyond the actual basketball game tonight, viewers will have the chance to watch the two rookies do battle for the first time in the regular season. Enjoy it!
Predicted Starting Fives
| Position | Charlotte Hornets | San Antonio Spurs |
|---|---|---|
PG | LaMelo Ball | Tre Jones |
SG | Terry Rozier | Devin Vassell |
SF | Brandon Miller | Julian Champagnie |
PF | Miles Bridges | Jeremy Sochan |
C | Nick Richards | Victor Wembanyama |
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