The Charlotte Hornets won their season opener on Wednesday night, but the joy won’t last long. While the 110-103 victory over the Brooklyn Nets looked good on paper, a massive cloud is hanging over the roster. Two key starters are already out of the lineup, and it looks like a long road ahead for the rotation.
According to Yahoo Sports, both Kon Knueppel and Coby White are currently sidelined. This isn’t just a minor hiccup for the team. Both players missed every single preseason game because of injuries they picked up during training camp. It is hard to build any momentum when your foundation is stuck in the training room.
White Injury Creates Massive Roster Gap
The situation with Coby White is the real nightmare here. He is dealing with a left calf strain. This is a scary pattern because White has faced repeated calf issues throughout his career. Per Yahoo Sports, the team previously dealt with a similar calf injury when they traded for him. If this is a recurring problem, the Hornets are in huge trouble. Availability is the most important thing for a player like him. While he usually plays at least 60 games a year, last season was the exception. Now, the team has to find ways to play without his scoring and stability.
Knueppel Absence Hurts the Offense
Kon Knueppel is also out with a left hamstring strain. The team hasn’t said how bad the grade of the strain is, but it is likely a mild grade 1. He might not play again before the end of October. Even if he comes back soon, his absence is already hurting the floor spacing. During the win on Wednesday, the Hornets attempted 48 three-pointers. That accounted for 51.6 percent of their total shots, but they only hit 31 percent of them. That shooting slump is a brutal reminder of how much the offense needs his efficiency.
Depth Must Step Up Tonight
The team has to rely on the guys who are healthy. On Wednesday, Grayson Allen was great, scoring 21 points and shooting 6-for-9 from the field. Other players like Naz Reid, Brandon Miller, Dennis Schroder, and Moussa Diabate all scored at least 17 points. Coach Charles Lee noted that his team won by “guys diving on the floor” and through deflections. But playing against a tough team like the Atlanta Hawks requires more than just effort. The Hornets face the Hawks at Spectrum Center at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, and the depth will be tested immediately.