Charlotte

Hornets

With Moussa Diabaté out with a sore ankle, Kalkbrenner made his first start since February 22 on Friday. He didn’t offer a great deal as a scorer, but the rebounds and blocks are what most fantasy managers rostering the rookie center are looking for. If Diabaté remains out for Sunday’s game in Minnesota, another start will be in the cards for Kalkbrenner.

One night removed from scoring 25 points in a win over the Suns, Bridges put up 19 more on Friday. Add in the assists and three-pointers, and this was another good performance for the Hornets’ forward. Bridges will look to end Week 23 on a high note when Charlotte visits Minnesota on Sunday.

Before Friday, Knueppel went nearly three weeks without consecutive 20-point games. He and the other Hornets did much of what they wanted to offensively, shooting 24-of-49 from beyond the arc. Knueppel was responsible for three made threes, moving to 7-of-16 over his last two games. It’s safe to say that he’s snapped out of the two-game mini-slump in which he shot 1-of-9 from beyond the arc.

Miller did a good job scoring-wise on Friday, but the defensive contributions, as limited as they were, are a notable story from Friday’s win. Before Friday, he had last recorded at least one steal and one block in the same game on March 6. That isn’t a strong suit of Miller’s in terms of fantasy value, so Friday’s line was a welcome bonus for those rostering him. The Hornets play once more in Week 23, at Minnesota on Sunday.

The Hornets are down a starter for Friday’s game, as Moussa Diabaté is out with a sore left ankle. Kalkbrenner moves into the starting five and should play plenty, as Grant Williams is also out for the Hornets.

Diabaté will miss Friday’s game with a sore left ankle, likely meaning that Ryan Kalkbrenner will start. Taking on that role would raise the rookie’s fantasy ceiling, especially in what appears to be a favorable matchup for the Hornets.

Williams will sit out against the Pacers due to right knee injury management. Sion James and Josh Green could pick up a few extra minutes, but neither of them are worth streaming.

Diabaté is dealing with left ankle soreness, and it could cost him a game against Indiana. If the big man is ultimately sidelined, Ryan Kalkbrenner would likely replace him in the starting five. If Kalkbrenner starts, he’ll be worth streaming in a favorable matchup with the Pacers.

After shooting a combined 4-of-19 from beyond the arc in his previous three games, Knueppel had a better night against the Suns. In addition to making four of his nine three-point attempts, the rookie wing is up to 35 games with at least 20 points. At a minimum, Knueppel is one of the favorites for Rookie of the Year, along with college teammate Cooper Flagg. And given his role in the Hornets’ success, it would be unsurprising if many voters viewed Knueppel as the clear leader going into the final week of the regular season.

Ball’s point total may not have been as high as many fantasy managers have grown accustomed to, but he had one of his best floor games of the season on Thursday. In addition to racking up 11 assists, the Hornets point guard did not commit a turnover. This was Ball’s first game of the season in which he reached double figures in assists without committing a turnover. His efficiency has improved since the All-Star break, a big reason the Hornets have locked up a spot in the Play-In tournament and can still finish in the top-6 of the East.