Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) is considered doubtful for the team's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. The star guard has been dealing with ankle issues all season and he'll now miss his fourth consecutive game due to right ankle tendinopathy. This is going to be his 25th missed game of the season, so he won't be eligible for any regular season awards. In terms of finding a streaming option, the Hornets have been going with a roulette of guards to throw into the starting lineup in Ball's place. Ish Smith and Bryce McGowens have each received one game of starting point guard duties while P.J. Washington was thrown into the mix to create a big starting five. All three should receive more minutes while Washington is likely the best bet if any fantasy managers are desperately in need of a replacement.

The Charlotte Hornets have upgraded forward Miles Bridges (elbow) from probable to available for Wednesday's contest versus the Chicago Bulls. A left elbow contusion clouded Bridges' availability a bit on Wednesday, but Charlotte has officially given him the green light to suit up, and he hasn't sat out since Dec. 18. The 25-year-old playmaking forward is playing top-50 ball in nine-category fantasy leagues this year, averaging 20.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists 2.3 threes, and 1.1 steals in 34 games for the Hornets. Although Wednesday's matchup carries the lowest implied point total (214.5) of the nine-game slate, Bridges belongs in all season-long lineups,.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) has been downgraded from doubtful to out for Wednesday's game versus the Chicago Bulls. Ball continues to nurse soreness in his right ankle, which has cost him the team's past two contests, and he'll aim to return when the 10-35 Hornets head out for a brief one-game road trip on Friday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. With Terry Rozier now in South Beach, Charlotte has been forced to turn to swingman Cody Martin as their starting point guard. Over Martin's past nine games without Ball in the lineup, he is averaging 8.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 three-pointers and is worth a look in deep fantasy leagues despite a tough matchup against Alex Caruso's lockdown defense.

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (elbow) is considered probable for a game against Chicago on Wednesday. The 25-year-old is dealing with a left elbow contusion, but the injury isn't expected to keep Bridges out of action. Bridges has put together a very strong stretch of games recently and will go for an eighth consecutive game with 20-plus points on Wednesday. He's also logged three double-doubles during his recent scoring surge.

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's clash with the Bulls. He's been out for a couple of games already, and it looks like Ball will be forced to sit again on Wednesday due to a right ankle problem. Ish Smith and P.J. Washington have picked up starts during Ball's recent absence. The latter exploded for 43 points against Washington on Saturday and appears to be gaining momentum in fantasy basketball.