Grant

Williams

Williams was injured just before training camp began and did not play in any of Charlotte’s first three games. His continued absence gives Royce O’Neale more playing time, and he has been Naz Reid’s primary backup at power forward.

Williams didn’t play in the first two games of the season and has since been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Heat. Royce O’Neale will continue to backup Naz Reid in his absence.

Williams will remain sidelined after missing the preseason, but he has progressed to individual on-court work. Williams may return soon, but until then, Royce O’Neale will likely be tasked with the power forward minutes behind Naz Reid.

Williams is one of two Hornets ruled out for the preseason due to hamstring injuries; Kon Knueppel is the other. The 6-foot-6 forward suffered a right hamstring injury during an offseason on-court activity and will be re-evaluated during the first week of the regular season. While Williams’ injury leaves the Hornets down an option in the frontcourt, it does not significantly impact fantasy basketball.

Diabaté, who finished Tuesday’s overtime win over the Heat with eight points, 14 rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot in 36 minutes, is dealing with a sore left hip. If he’s unable to play on Friday, the Hornets would turn to Ryan Kalkbrenner and Grant Williams to fill the resulting void.

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.

Williams is good to go after sitting out Sunday’s loss to the Celtics. Sion James and Josh Green are likely to see their minutes decrease with Williams back in the rotation.

Williams’ absence does not affect fantasy basketball, but it does free up minutes among the Hornets’ reserves. Sion James and Josh Green could see their minutes increase, and there may be room on the back end of the rotation for Pat Connaughton.

Salaün’s continued absence does not affect fantasy basketball, as he had already fallen behind Grant Williams on the depth chart. The second-year forward should only be rostered in dynasty leagues, and that may be a stretch.

Kalkbrenner is a late addition to the Hornets’ injury report, but he is listed as probable to play. If he can’t go, Grant Williams may spend more time at the five as part of smaller lineups when starting center Moussa Diabaté is not on the floor.