Charlotte Hornets DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (foot) has been ruled out of Monday's game against the Sacramento Kings with injury management on his left foot. This is partially expected since Williams hasn't played both halves of a back-to-back and the Hornets have a game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. Jusuf Nurkic should see a significant bump in minutes for this contest. In four games with his new team, Nurkic averages 7.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. He'll likely be a popular streamer in regular fantasy leagues as well as an option in DFS lineups.

Charlotte Hornets guard DaQuan Jeffries (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Jeffries is set to miss his third game in a row due to a left knee injury. He has only been averaging minutes in the teens this season, but Jeffries was playing more before the injury. However, he'll likely see a reduced role with LaMelo Ball (ankle) healthy once again. Jeffries hasn't been much of a fantasy option this season and remains off the fantasy radar at the moment.

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (conditioning) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The big man figures to be back in action on Saturday after sitting out of Thursday's game, which was the second leg of a back-to-back set. It seems likely that the Hornets are going to continue having LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Williams on a rest program during back-to-back sets. Both players are expected to be back in action for Saturday's game. Jusuf Nurkic finished with nine points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in 18 minutes of action during a spot start on Thursday. He has been decent during his three appearances in Charlotte. Fantasy managers might want to consider Nurkic a low-end streaming option going forward.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (rest, ankle) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Ball figures to be back in action after sitting out of Thursday's contest which was the second game of a back-to-back set. The Hornets aren't playing for anything this season, so it appears they'll continue resting their franchise guard in one leg of back-to-back contests. Fantasy managers should expect Ball to be a full-go for Saturday's game. Elfrid Payton finished with zero points, two rebounds, and three assists in 16 minutes of action during a spot start on Thursday. He figures to resume his rotational role behind Ball on Saturday.

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.