Royce

O'Neale

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 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.

The Hornets have been without Kon Knueppel all preseason as he recovers from a hamstring injury, and he’s unlikely to be ready for the October 21 season opener. While Liam McNeeley (seven points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one three-pointer vs. Boston) was the replacement in the first three exhibitions, O’Neale did the honors on Wednesday. The veteran wing is most valuable to managers needing three-pointers and steals, and he provided the former in Beantown. O’Neale’s negative was his team-high five turnovers. Charlotte visits Memphis in its preseason finale on Friday; that game should answer who is best positioned to start for Knueppel when the regular season begins.

A consistent presence in the Suns’ starting lineup, O’Neale averaged career-highs in points (9.8) and three-pointers (2.7) last season. The veteran wing was also responsible for 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 42.1 percent from the field and 71.1 percent from the foul line. While not a prolific scorer, O’Neale gives the Hornets a veteran 3-and-D wing the team needs, especially with Josh Green (who was not much of a three-point shooter) being included in the LaMelo Ball trade. As was the case in Phoenix, O’Neale stands to be most valuable to fantasy managers needing three-pointers and steals.

Goodwin left Sunday’s Game 1 loss to the Thunder after five minutes with a sore left calf and didn’t return. Royce O’Neale started the third quarter in his place and finished with four points in 23 minutes. O’Neale could be looking at a spot start if Goodwin is ruled out for Game 2. Grayson Allen could also be an option, though he got a DNP-CD in Game 2 as he was available despite a hamstring injury.

Goodwin played five first-half minutes before exiting with a sore left calf, and he has now been ruled out for the rest of the game. Royce O’Neale started the third quarter and will take on an important role, especially with Grayson Allen (hamstring) yet to play despite being listed as available.

Allen injured his hamstring during the Suns’ penultimate game of the regular season, an April 10 loss to the Lakers. According to Ott, the veteran guard’s availability for Friday’s Play-In Tournament game against the Warriors will depend on whether he can sprint. Royce O’Neale and Collin Gillespie take on added importance in their respective roles with Allen unavailable.

Tuesday’s absence marks Allen’s second straight missed game due to a hamstring injury. Without him, the Suns won’t have the services of one of their best and most reliable three-point shooters. His scoring and floor spacing off the bench will be missed, but Royce O’Neale could provide similar production in that specific role.

Allen suffered a left hamstring injury during Friday’s loss to the Lakers and hasn’t played since. The 30-year-old small forward was replaced in the lineup by Royce O’Neale, which could be the case again if Allen is ruled out on Tuesday.

While Booker, Brooks and O’Neale are sitting for injury-management reasons, Allen is out with a left hamstring injury he sustained during Friday’s loss to the Lakers. As for Saturday evening, the Suns were still listing the issue as a sore hamstring, but that’s something to keep an eye on ahead of Tuesday’s play-in game. Rasheer Fleming, Amir Coffey and Koby Brea are three wings who are in line to play rotation minutes on Sunday.