The Charlotte Hornets could face a short-handed San Antonio Spurs squad when the teams meet Saturday afternoon at Frost Bank Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET as Charlotte continues its push in the Eastern Conference play-in race.
Charlotte enters the game at 34-33, holding the No. 10 spot in the East and riding a two-game winning streak. The Hornets defeated the Sacramento Kings 117-109 on March 11 after edging the Portland Trail Blazers 103-101 the night before.
San Antonio owns one of the league’s best records at 48-18 and has already clinched a postseason berth in the Western Conference. The Spurs lost their most recent game 136-131 against the Denver Nuggets on March 12 but defeated the Boston Celtics 125-116 two days earlier.
The Spurs’ injury report is headlined by Victor Wembanyama, who is listed as questionable with right ankle soreness. The 7-foot-4 center has been the anchor of San Antonio’s system, averaging 24.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists across 51 games.
If Wembanyama cannot play, San Antonio would lose its primary rim protector and leading scorer. The French star also spaces the floor, shooting 36.0 percent from three-point range.
Rookie guard Dylan Harper is also questionable with a right calf contusion. Harper has averaged 11.2 points and 3.8 assists while serving as an important secondary playmaker behind De’Aaron Fox.
Fox leads the Spurs with 19.1 points and 6.4 assists per game and drives the team’s transition offense. Stephon Castle adds 16.6 points and a team-high 7.0 assists while helping initiate half-court sets.
Devin Vassell remains a key perimeter scorer at 14.3 points per game, while Keldon Johnson contributes 12.8 points and 5.5 rebounds off the wing. Julian Champagnie has also played a steady role, averaging 11.2 points and 5.8 rebounds.
Charlotte’s injury report is lighter but still includes several absences. Forward Tidjane Salaun is out with a left calf strain after appearing in 36 games this season.
Rookie Liam McNeeley will also miss the game because of a left ankle sprain. Two-way players PJ Hall and Antonio Reeves remain out due to G League assignments.
Center Ryan Kalkbrenner is listed as probable with an illness. The rookie big man averages 8.0 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 74.3 percent from the field.
Coby White is also probable with a right heel contusion. White has averaged 11.9 points and 3.6 assists in seven appearances since joining Charlotte’s rotation.
The Hornets’ offense continues to run through LaMelo Ball, who averages 19.4 points and 7.2 assists per game. Charlotte also relies heavily on Brandon Miller’s scoring production, as the second-year wing leads the team with 20.7 points per contest.
Kon Knueppel adds 19.2 points while shooting 44.0 percent from three-point range, giving Charlotte another perimeter option. Miles Bridges remains a consistent contributor with 17.5 points and 5.9 rebounds.
Charlotte won the first meeting between the teams this season, defeating San Antonio 111-106 on January 31 in North Carolina.
