More injury woes for the Hornets: Surgery to sideline Kelly Oubre; Gordon Hayward still sore
It’s groundhog day in January for the Charlotte Hornets.
Just when they think they’re getting healthy and on the verge of having their full roster actually available for once, injuries have victimized the team again. Kelly Oubre and – surprise – Gordon Hayward are the latest members of the Hornets’ walking wounded, a list that’s been extensive since September.
Oubre is set undergo surgery on his left hand to repair a torn ligament on Thursday, league sources told The Charlotte Observer on Tuesday, potentially keeping him out of the lineup until after the All-Star break next month. Oubre flew to New York with Joe Sharpe, the Hornets’ director of healthcare and sports performance, to get a second opinion. Doctors recommended having a procedure to alleviate the injury.
The loss of Oubre is a blow for the struggling Hornets. He is second on the team in scoring at 20.2 points per game, and has filled in as a starter until coming off the bench recently as the team slowly inched closer toward full strength.
“It’s a lot of production (lost),” coach Steve Clifford said. “He’s played really consistently. He steals the ball a lot. I think he was fourth in the NBA in deflections at the time he got hurt. He was having a terrific year so it’s not ideal.”
As for Hayward, he’s considered day-to-day after exiting in the fourth quarter of Monday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers with hamstring soreness. Clifford said Hayward is still experiencing pain, which is why he’s listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s game against Memphis. He appeared in the Hornets’ past 10 games after missing nine games with a fractured left scapula. Hayward also missed the time due to a left knee contusion and a left shoulder contusion.
With Oubre out for an extended period of time and Hayward’s status unclear, expect Jalen McDaniels to get extensive minutes at small forward. McDaniels has started 10 games this season and he’ll likely be plugged in with the game-opening lineup.
Cody Martin, who’s missed the past 37 games nursing a left knee injury, is also a possibility. Martin is listed as questionable for their game against the Grizzlies, representing a positive step given he hasn’t played since the Oct. 17 season opener in San Antonio. He’s increased his level of activity recently, working closely with the coaching staff to get into game shape while gaining more confidence in the wake of a mid-November arthroscopic surgery.
Rookie Bryce McGowens, along with JT Thor, could also be tapped to fill in on occasion.
Figuring out how to compensate for yet another ailment is a primary concern. But the Hornets have plenty of experience shifting players around thanks to 115 games — and counting — already missed this season due to injury.
“Health is a big part of this and these guys have had serious injuries,” Clifford said. “These aren’t pulls and stuff like that. It’s out of your control. The bottom line is, like I told them today, we have stretches where we are good. You’ve just got to put it together.
“You’ve got to concentrate on playing well. Like the transition defense. If we get back to getting our defensive set every time, it’s going to make us a better team.”
This story was originally published January 3, 2023 at 1:59 PM.
