Charlotte Hornets DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (reconditioning) will not play on the second night of the team's back-to-back set coming out of the All-Star break. Williams played 29 minutes in the Hornets' win over the Lakers on Wednesday, chipping in 10 points and nine rebounds after not playing for two weeks while he was traded to the Lakers but then the trade was rescinded due to concerns with Williams' medicals. In addition to Williams' absence, LaMelo Ball (right ankle injury management) will also get the night off on Thursday, meaning the Hornets' offense will likely run through KJ Simpson, Elfrid Payton, Nick Smith, and Seth Curry in the backcourt while Jusuf Nurkic and Moussa Diabate will pick up work in place of Williams. Diabate had good numbers while Williams was out, but he and Nurk will have to try and slow down Nikola Jokic in addition to contributing on the offensive end on Thursday.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (right ankle injury management) will not play on the second night of a back-to-back set for the Hornets this Thursday night when the Hornets take on the Nuggets. Ball played 33 minutes on Wednesday and had 27 points, six assists, and five rebounds against the Lakers. After he sits out on Thursday, his next chance to play will be Saturday in Portland. Mark Williams (conditioning) is also out, so there will be plenty of work for KJ Simpson, Elfrid Payton, Nick Smith, and Seth Curry in the backcourt while Jusuf Nurkic and Moussa Diabate will pick up work in place of Williams.

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (conditioning) is available ahead of Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Williams will make his return to the court after missing the final four games before the All-Star break. It was unclear how the Hornets planned to use Williams in their rotation after the trade with the Lakers fell through. Despite that, Williams will get the start on Wednesday. He's expected to have Jusuf Nurkic as his primary backup, which is bad news for anyone who is rostering Moussa Diabate. Fantasy managers who have Williams rostered can go ahead and get him active on Wednesday.