The Charlotte Hornets reform the group.
After virtually a full calendar yr (361 days to be precise), Mark Williams is ready to return to an NBA courtroom to compete in knowledgeable basketball sport. The beleaguered Hornets Middle has formally been reworked into questionable for Tuesday night time’s NBA Cup sport in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The previous first-round select of Duke College’s absence created a seven-foot, 240-pound gap within the Hornets’ middle frontcourt that has been crammed by committee for a while. Williams was averaging 12.7 factors, 9.7 rebounds and greater than a block per sport earlier than a again damage prematurely ended his 2023-24 season.
After efficiently rehabbing his ailing again, Williams injured his foot early in Charles Lee’s first coaching camp as head coach of the Hornets. The freshman taking pictures guard off Charlotte’s bench is nearer than ever to having his younger middle again within the rotation.
The Hornets have turn out to be adept at enjoying efficient offense and protection and not using a conventional massive man of their lineup. The absences of Mark Williams and operating mate Nick Richards pressured Lee to type undersized lineups with gamers like Grant Williams, Cody Martin and Moussa Diabaté at middle. Richards’ early return and Williams’ impending return will enable Lee to play extra conventional five-man combos as Charlotte continues its push towards relevance within the Jap Convention.
Together with Williams, Charlotte additionally upgraded DaQuan Jeffries’ standing to questionable. Jeffries missed your complete 2024-25 season with a hand damage and is anticipated to make his debut within the coming days.
INJURY REPORT: @hornets vs PHI 12/3
M Williams (L Foot) and Jeffries (R Hand) are questionable
Ball (L Calf), Bridges (R Knee), Mann (Disc Irritation) and G Williams (R ACL) are out
– Charlotte Hornets Public Relations (@HornetsPR) December 2, 2024
Williams and Jeffries nonetheless must clear one remaining hurdle and be named energetic for tomorrow night time’s sport in opposition to Paul George and the 76ers. Keep tuned to the Hornets on SI earlier than the sport for updates on their statuses.
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