Brandon Miller is injured. What’s wrong with the Hornets’ rising star?
Even when the Charlotte Hornets win, they still somehow lose.
Minutes after outlasting the Chicago Bulls 125-123 at United Center on Friday night, the team announced Brandon Miller had suffered a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist that will sideline him indefinitely.
No specific timetable was given for the second-year swingman’s return.
Miller underwent an MRI in Chicago after getting banged up in the Hornets’ win in Utah on Wednesday. It’s another blow for a team that’s dealt with injuries all season and continues to be without Tre Mann, who’s been out since Nov. 23 while dealing with a disc issue in his lower back.
“I just got the same news you did, so it’s one of those bittersweet things where you are happy for the victory but unfortunate news on Brandon,” coach Charles Lee said. “And I think we will continue to evaluate where he is and do as much testing as we can. But we all just have to kind of band together and help him get through his rehab.”
Miller is averaging a career-best 21 points to go with 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 34.2 minutes in 27 games in 2024-25. This is the third time he’s been injured this season, with things starting off in rough fashion after he strained his left glute in the opener in Houston on Oct. 23.
The 22-year-old also sprained his left ankle in the the Hornets’ loss to Philadelphia on Dec. 16, causing him to miss six games. Who knows how long he’ll be in street clothes thanks to this latest injury?
“Yeah, nah, that definitely hurts,” LaMelo Ball said. “I was in the same kind of situation rookie year or sophomore year or whatever. I know how he feels. So we all have his back and everything, love him and take care of him, watch out for him.
“He’s with the whole squad so that will help a little. I remember my situation, just being around the guys. I know it’s tough times, though.”
Miller’s buddy Nick Smith Jr. took his place in the starting lineup against the Bulls, receiving his first career start.
Smith posted 15 points and five rebounds, and there’s a good bet he may get a chance to show he can do it again when the Hornets host the Dallas Mavericks in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee Monday.
“Just continued growth,” Lee said of Smith. “I’m happy with his process on a lot of the possessions that he had. I think defensively, he’s starting to understand where to be and how to impact the game on that end of the floor and not letting his offense be the only trademark that he has. He’s more than an offensive scorer.
“He is a great basketball player.”
With Miller out for an extended period, Smith’s time is now.
“I already know what Nick can do,” Ball said. “So as long as he has the confidence to go in there, he’s going to be great.”
This story was originally published January 17, 2025 at 10:56 PM.
