2 min read • February 24, 2022
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The Hornets will start their playoff push Friday against the Raptors without 2 of their best and most versatile wings, Gordon Hayward and Jalen McDaniels, who both remain out with ankle sprains with no timetable to return.
Hayward incited fears of a second broken leg or dislocated ankle after suffering a gruesome left ankle sprain on Feb. 7.
Our Docs were hopeful for a return to the court post-break, but Hayward has obviously not progressed to the Hornets' liking in the 2 weeks since the injury.
While he is not their top scorer (that is Miles Bridges) or their most dynamic playmaker (all-star LaMelo Ball), Hayward has been maybe the most impactful Hornet this season.
Charlotte is 26-22 in his 48 games and 3-9 without him, with those 3 wins coming against the Pistons, Pacers, and Lakers, the last of whom were without LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Third-year power forward Jalen McDaniels, meanwhile, has missed the last 13 contests after spraining his left ankle on Jan. 22.
This was McDaniels' 1st career ankle sprain, meaning the injury created new ankle ligament damage that has likely caused significant swelling and will take longer to rehab.
The San Diego State product is averaging 6.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in 39 games in what has been his first full season in Charlotte. McDaniels was jumping between the Hornets and their G-League companions, the Greensboro Swarm, in 2019-20 and 2020-21.
Cody Martin is probable to return from a sore achilles on Friday, and the Nevada graduate will come back to fill the 3-and-D wing vacuum.
Other players to watch for continued expansive roles are center Montrezl Harrell and rookie guard James Bouknight, both of whom are undersized and much more known for their offensive skillset than their defensive capabilities.
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