Jan 17, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee gestures in the course of the first quarter in a recreation in opposition to the Chicago Bulls at United Heart. Necessary Credit score: David Banks-Imagn Photographs Even in good instances, the Charlotte Hornets can not seem to get pleasure from a number of the optimistic moments.
However they will be again at it Monday afternoon when the Dallas Mavericks go to.
The Hornets, who’re in search of their first three-game successful streak of the season, are coming to grips with the lack of swingman Brandon Miller, who sustained what has been revealed as a extreme wrist harm.
The Mavericks have harm questions as properly, so the well being of the groups is certain to be an element.
The Hornets are again dwelling after what was imagined to be a five-game street journey. However two video games in Los Angeles had been postponed due to the California wildfires, so it ended up being a 2-1 journey.
Usually, that will be thought-about tremendous for Charlotte. However the Miller harm put a damper on the temper, a lot in order that guard LaMelo Ball referred to as it “powerful instances” for the workforce.
The Hornets had been with out Miller throughout Friday night time’s 125-123 victory at Chicago, with details about the doable extent of his absence coming after the sport. He sustained the harm two nights earlier at Utah.
To fill the void left by Miller, the Hornets might name upon Josh Okogie, who was acquired a number of days in the past in a deal that despatched middle Nick Richards to the Phoenix Suns.
“I feel he is a jack of all trades, and we’re tremendous enthusiastic about all the things he’ll carry to our group,” Hornets coach Charles Lee mentioned of Okogie. “I feel instantly, he brings an incredible defensive presence to our workforce. His data of the league and tendencies.”
Charlotte’s Nick Smith Jr. made his first NBA begin and logged 26 minutes Friday, whereas Seth Curry performed 18 minutes off the bench. Every chipped in 15 factors.
Miller is averaging 21.0 factors per recreation, although this can be his second extended injury-related absence of the season.
“We’ll simply type of need to band collectively and assist him by his rehab,” Lee mentioned.
Dallas additionally hasn’t performed since Friday when it prevailed for a 106-98 dwelling victory in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. Kyrie Irving poured in 25 factors to guide the Mavericks in scoring for the primary time since Dec. 28.
“Superb,” teammate Naji Marshall mentioned. “He simply put us on (his) again.”
Due to a again harm, Irving has performed in solely three video games in January. He appeared for 39 minutes Friday night time, however he mentioned it is nonetheless a course of in getting again to type.
“Simply proceed to pattern in the correct route so I haven’t got a lapse in a approach the place I am out and I’ve to get surgical procedure,” Irving mentioned. “I really feel quite a bit higher. … Taking my time and simply remaining affected person.”
Even with a few days off, the Mavericks is perhaps hurting getting into Monday’s recreation. Jaden Hardy exited Friday’s recreation with an injured proper ankle and Dwight Powell departed with a hip ailment. Neither participant returned to motion.
Since Christmas Day, the Mavericks have misplaced 9 of 13 video games. Dallas has dropped its previous 5 street outings.
So after beating one of many NBA’s high groups, the Mavericks will attempt to hold the momentum in opposition to one of many worst golf equipment within the league.
It is a return to Charlotte for Mavericks ahead P.J. Washington, who spent practically 5 years with the Hornets to start his professional profession.
Washington has began in 34 of the 35 video games he has performed for Dallas this season, averaging 13.1 factors and a career-best 7.8 rebounds per recreation.
–Area Degree Media
