Charlotte Hornets’ Michael Kidd-Gilchrist diagnosed with another torn labrum

Charlotte Hornets small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder Wednesday in a road victory over the Indiana Pacers.

The Hornets provided no timetable for his recovery, but it appears unlikely he’ll play again this season. Kidd-Gilchrist could have surgery or attempt to rehabilitate the injury without surgery. However, not having surgery would make him more prone to re-injury.

This is the second time in five months Kidd-Gilchrist has suffered that particular injury. He had surgery in October on the shoulder after injuring himself in a preseason exhibition in Orlando.

Kidd-Gilchrist suffered this most recent injury when he hit the floor under the Hornets’ basket and was fallen on by Pacers center Ian Mahinmi. Kidd-Gilchrist remained on the floor for several seconds, grimacing in pain.

While the projected recovery time for that previous injury was six months, Kidd-Gilchrist returned to the court late last month. The Hornets were 5-2 in the games Kidd-Gilchrist played, climbing back into playoff contention with a 27-26 record.

Had the season ended Wednesday, the Hornets would have qualified for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Hornets have had a series of injuries to key players throughout this season. They hope to get back center Al Jefferson, recovering from knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus, sometime after the All-Star break.

Kidd-Gilchrist is the Hornets’ top defender and has a level of energy infectious to the rest of the team.

With Kidd-Gilchrist gone, it seems likely coach Steve Clifford will again turn to P.J. Hairston as a starter. Starting Hairston avoided Nic Batum having to constantly guard the opposing team’s top perimeter scorer.

The Hornets are off for All-Star break. Their next game is Feb. 19 on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks. They will regroup in Charlotte for practice Wednesday afternoon.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 3:31 PM with the headline "Charlotte Hornets’ Michael Kidd-Gilchrist diagnosed with another torn labrum."