Hornets update: Two more players’ health status for game versus Warriors resolved
The Charlotte Hornets will get at least one of their starters back for Saturday’s home game against the Golden State Warriors.
Power forward P.J. Washington was not on the Hornets’ injury report Friday, after missing Charlotte’s last two games while in COVID-19 related NBA protocols.
The Hornets also were without two other starters by the end of Sunday’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Forward Gordon Hayward is probable to play against the Warriors with lower-back discomfort. Guard Devonte Graham was ruled out Saturday morning, with a left knee injury.
Cody Martin has cleared COVID-19 related protocols, which kept him out of the last three games. His twin brother Caleb has yet to be cleared. They were declared out a week ago, two games prior to the NBA putting the Hornets on pause.
The Hornets hadn’t played or practiced since the loss to the Spurs. Four San Antonio players tested positive for COVID-19 following that game, which caused the NBA to put both the Spurs and Hornets on pause. Two Charlotte home games — Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls and Friday against the Denver Nuggets — were postponed.
Finally got to practice
The Hornets were cleared to practice late-afternoon Friday after four days of no team activity.
“We should have fresh legs,” Borrego said of the time off, then added of practice: “We are out of rhythm.”
This was the second time this season the Hornets had a long break from games due to a COVID-19 issue. However, the first time, in mid-January, was a postponement caused by positive tests on the Washington Wizards roster. So missing a game then didn’t preclude the Hornets from practicing during a five-day break.
This was different, in that contact tracing was going on among the Hornets. Players were only allowed in Spectrum Center for limited individual workouts Tuesday through Thursday.
“I feel like we sat out for two weeks,” guard Terry Rozier said of the break from both games and practice.
Rozier said there is some upside in that the Hornets had played eight games in the prior 13 days, so they needed time to rest and heal injuries. However, nothing beyond individual workouts and meeting by video calls can undermine team sharpness.
Shorthanded last they played
Injuries and COVID-19 protocols had the Hornets down to eight available players in the fourth quarter against the Spurs. One of those eight, rookie Nick Richards, wasn’t used by Borrego and has since been assigned to the Greensboro Swarm in the G-League bubble outside Orlando. Richards will be eligible to play with the Swarm starting Sunday.
Saturday versus the Warriors and former Davidson star Stephen Curry is the Hornets’ last home game before a six-game West Coast trip. After that, the NBA has the annual All-Star break.
This story was originally published February 19, 2021 at 5:44 PM.
