The Charlotte Hornets are in trouble again. Friday’s NBA Cup game versus the Boston Celtics saw Kon Knueppel ruled out just one day after he finally returned to the court. This news comes straight from the official injury report released Thursday. The second-year sharpshooter played less than six minutes on Wednesday before leaving with a left hamstring strain. Now he sits on the sidelines while the Celtics prepare to visit Spectrum Center.
Knueppel’s absence is a disaster for a team already reeling. The 21-year-old missed the first eight games of the season due to the exact same injury. He was supposed to be the spark for an offense that has struggled to find rhythm. Instead, his comeback lasted less than one quarter. Coach Charles Lee offered no timeline for his return after the loss to Brooklyn. “No, I don’t have an update yet,” Lee said afterward, according to Yahoo Sports.
A Deep Roster for Boston
While Charlotte watches its young star sit, Boston looks ready to roll without its own top guy. Jayson Tatum rested on Wednesday but is expected to play Friday. The Celtics have already proven they can win even when their best player sits out. They beat the Milwaukee Bucks 109-102 on Wednesday night without Tatum. Paul George dropped 25 points and Derrick White added 24 to lead the way.
Derrick White stepped up when Payton Pritchard also left the game early with an eye injury. White said his mindset changed when key players went down. “Obviously with JT out and then Payton going out too, I had a little bit more aggressive mind-set,” White said, according to Yahoo Sports. The Celtics believe their depth will carry them through the four-game road trip starting in Charlotte.
Hornets Stuck in a Rut
Charlotte has lost five games in a row and needs a win badly. They started the season strong with three wins in their first four games but have fallen apart since. The injury to Knueppel makes it nearly impossible to stop Boston’s offense. Brandon Miller struggled mightily on Wednesday, shooting just 2-for-15 from the field. Coach Lee noted that Miller’s defensive effort was still there despite the offensive woes.
The Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla praised Paul George’s recent performance. “We need the best version of him for us to be a great team, and I think you were able to see that (Wednesday),” Mazzulla said, according to CBS Sports. Boston enters Friday with a 6-2 record. They are looking to extend their winning streak against a Hornets team that has no answers right now. The loss of Knueppel just confirms what everyone already fears: Charlotte is in deep trouble.
