Even in good times, the Charlotte Hornets can’t seem to enjoy some of the positive moments.
But they’ll be back at it Monday afternoon when the Dallas Mavericks visit.
The Hornets, who are looking for their first three-game winning streak of the season, are coming to grips with the loss of swingman Brandon Miller, who sustained what has been revealed as a severe wrist injury.
The Mavericks have injury questions as well, so the health of the teams is bound to be a factor.
The Hornets are back home after what was supposed to be a five-game road trip. But two games in Los Angeles were postponed because of the California wildfires, so it ended up being a 2-1 trip.
Normally, that would be considered super for Charlotte. But the Miller injury put a damper on the mood, so much so that guard LaMelo Ball called it “tough times” for the team.
The Hornets were without Miller during Friday night’s 125-123 victory at Chicago, with information about the possible extent of his absence coming after the game. He sustained the injury two nights earlier at Utah.
To fill the void left by Miller, the Hornets could call upon Josh Okogie, who was acquired several days ago in a deal that sent center Nick Richards to the Phoenix Suns.
“I think he’s a jack of all trades, and we’re super excited about everything he’s going to bring to our group,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said of Okogie. “I think immediately, he brings a great defensive presence to our team. His knowledge of the league and tendencies.”
Charlotte’s Nick Smith Jr. made his first NBA start and logged 26 minutes Friday, while Seth Curry played 18 minutes off the bench. Each chipped in 15 points.
Miller is averaging 21.0 points per game, though this will be his second prolonged injury-related absence of the season.
“We’ll just kind of have to band together and help him through his rehab,” Lee said.
Dallas also hasn’t played since Friday when it prevailed for a 106-98 home victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Kyrie Irving poured in 25 points to lead the Mavericks in scoring for the first time since Dec. 28.
“Amazing,” teammate Naji Marshall said. “He just put us on (his) back.”
Because of a back injury, Irving has played in only three games in January. He appeared for 39 minutes Friday night, but he said it’s still a process in getting back to form.
“Just continue to trend in the right direction so I don’t have a lapse in a way where I’m out and I have to get surgery,” Irving said. “I feel a lot better. … Taking my time and just remaining patient.”
Even with a couple of days off, the Mavericks might be hurting entering Monday’s game. Jaden Hardy exited Friday’s game with an injured right ankle and Dwight Powell departed with a hip ailment. Neither player returned to action.
Since Christmas Day, the Mavericks have lost nine of 13 games. Dallas has dropped its past five road outings.
So after beating one of the NBA’s top teams, the Mavericks will try to keep the momentum against one of the worst clubs in the league.
It’s a return to Charlotte for Mavericks forward P.J. Washington, who spent nearly five years with the Hornets to begin his pro career.
Washington has started in 34 of the 35 games he has played for Dallas this season, averaging 13.1 points and a career-best 7.8 rebounds per game.
–Field Level Media
