The Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans will meet Tuesday night at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, with both teams managing multiple injury concerns. Charlotte enters the game with a 3-4 record, while New Orleans continues to struggle at 0-6.
Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is listed as questionable with a right ankle impingement, leaving his status uncertain for the matchup. Forward Josh Green remains sidelined following left shoulder surgery, and Brandon Miller is out with a left shoulder subluxation. Grant Williams is also unavailable due to right knee surgery. The team will rely on Miles Bridges, Collin Sexton, and rookie Kon Knueppel to carry the offense in the absence of key contributors.
New Orleans is dealing with its own injury setbacks. Zion Williamson is questionable with left hamstring soreness, and Yves Missi is listed as questionable due to illness. Dejounte Murray remains out after a right Achilles rupture, while several two-way players, including Trey Alexander and Hunter Dickinson, are inactive. Jordan Poole and Trey Murphy III are expected to take on larger roles if the Pelicans are without Williamson.
Ball has been the Hornets’ leading scorer this season, averaging 23.3 points per game in six contests, with 9.8 assists and 7.8 rebounds. Bridges contributes 21.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while Sexton adds 16 points and 5.3 assists. These three will be crucial for Charlotte, especially if Ball is unable to play.
For the Pelicans, Williamson leads the team with 22.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Poole averages 18.3 points and 1.7 assists, while Murphy III contributes 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds. Their scoring will be vital as New Orleans searches for its first win of the season.
Injuries have already impacted both teams’ early-season rhythm. The Hornets have alternated wins and losses through seven games, including a 126-103 victory over Utah on November 2. New Orleans has yet to secure a win, including a 106-137 loss to Oklahoma City in its most recent contest.
