The Charlotte Hornets open up NBA Cup play with a game on the road against the Miami Heat on Friday night. The Hornets are coming off a rough loss against the New Orleans Pelicans, putting the two games under .500 headed into Friday.
The bad news is the Hornets are most likely going to be without LaMelo Ball and Collin Sexton for the game. According to Charlotte’s public relations X account, both Ball and Sexton are doubtful for Friday night’s game.
First reports had Ball questionable and Sexton probable. However, they have not gotten better, and both of their playing statuses have been downgraded to doubtful.
Injuries Continue to Hurt the Hornets
GettyCollin Sexton and LaMelo Ball are both doubtful for Friday’s NBA Cup opener in Miami.
Ball has been out the last two games with an ankle injury, and he is set to miss at least one more. Sexton has been the main replacement for Ball, but a strained neck has put his game status in doubt.
This injury news comes at the worst time for the Hornets. The team is already without Brandon Miller as he is dealing with a shoulder injury that will keep him out for a few more weeks. He has only played one full game this season, but his absence has been felt. Miller being out is tough enough for the team, but Ball and Sexton not playing will weaken the backcourt significantly.
Ball, Miller, and Sexton were three of the top five scorers on the team. The Hornets will need some unlikely players to step up with them out of this game. The good news for Charlotte is the Heat will be shorthanded, as well. Bam Adebayo is set to miss another game with a sprained big toe.
Who Will Step Up For the Hornets?
GettyKon Knueppel is among the few players who will need to step up Friday night in Miami.
With two of their better scorers missing, Charlotte will need some others to pick up the slack. Miles Bridges is the second-leading scorer on the team, and the offense will run through him. Bridges is averaging 21.5 points per game on 41.9% shooting. He has the ability to put up 30-plus points, especially with Ball out of the picture.
Although the offense will run through Bridges, the Hornets have one of the best rookies in this year’s class. Kon Knueppel is shooting over 40% from three-point range to begin his career, and he is scoring 14.8 points per game. He is playing over 30 minutes per game, as well. If the Hornets can create some open shots for him throughout the game, he is going to knock them down.
Both Sion James and Tre Mann will presumably take on a bigger role Friday night, as well. James has made three starts this season and is averaging 24.3 minutes per game. Mann plays 20.9 minutes per game and averages over 10.0 points. These two will have to take over the backcourt and play more minutes than they are used to in Charlotte’s NBA Cup opener.
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