Moussa Diabaté News, Rumors, Updates - Charlotte Hornets

Fills stat sheet Wednesday Diabate registered 17 points (7-11 FG, 0-0 3Pt, 3-3 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and five steals across 34 minutes in Wednesday's 110-103 win over the Nets.

Impact Diabate opened the regular season with an impressive two-way performance, with his five steals providing a significant fantasy boost while ending just two boards shy of a double-double. The 34-minute workload was particularly encouraging, suggesting he could maintain a substantial role in Charlotte's frontcourt. He can be even better defensively because of his blocking ability, but if Diabate gets enough playing time, he can be a double-double threat every time he steps on the court.

19 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Naz Reid has 20 points and 11 rebounds in his Charlotte debut as the Hornets beat the Nets 110-103

Naz Reid had 20 points and 11 rebounds in his Charlotte debut, Grayson Allen added 21 points off the bench and the Hornets beat the Brooklyn Nets 110-103 on Wednesday night

20 HOURS AGO • Associated Press

Good to go for Opening Night Diabate (elbow) isn't listed on the injury report for Wednesday's game against the Nets.

Impact Diabate missed the preseason finale due to a right elbow injury but is good to go for Opening Night. The 2022 second-round pick is expected to start at center but will face competition from second-year big man Ryan Kalkbrenner and rookie Hannes Steinbach.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with right elbow injury Diabate has been ruled out for Friday's preseason finale against the Grizzlies due to a right elbow injury.

Impact Diabate can be considered day-to-day moving forward, and his status for Wednesday's regular-season opener in Brooklyn remains unclear. If he's sidelined, Ryan Kalkbrenner and rookie Hannes Steinbach would be candidates for increased roles.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Hornets look to find a new identity after trading away face of the franchise LaMelo Ball

Despite winning 44 games last season, the Charlotte Hornets traded LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges after missing the playoffs for the 10th straight season

OCTOBER 14 • Associated Press

Balanced performance Tuesday Diabate closed with four points (1-1 FG, 2-4 FT), four rebounds, three steals, two blocks and one assist in 20 minutes during Tuesday's 124-90 preseason loss to the Nets.

Impact Diabate assumed the starting center role, ahead of both Ryan Kalkbrenner and Hannes Steinbach. Despite scoring only four points, Diabate did what he does best, providing the team with energy and effort on both ends of the floor. He finished with five combined steals and blocks, an element of his game that will need to stabilize, should he hope to hold onto the starting role. Assuming that is the case, Diabate is worth a look late in drafts, for those needing to add some center depth.

OCTOBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Works with first unit in practice Diabate was spotted working with the first unit in Friday's practice.

Impact Although he began the 2025-26 season in a reserve role, Diabate started 47 of his 73 regular-season appearances, averaging 7.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.8 steals across 26.0 minutes per contest. He faces added competition for playing time this year with Hannes Steinbach and Naz Reid now in the mix. However, it appears likely Reid will start at power forward, while Diabate battles for center minutes with Steinbach and Ryan Kalkbrenner.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Knicks should hit the gas on Moussa Diabate trade pursuit after Hornets' latest move The Hornets now have 18 players under contract after their latest trade—a roster crunch that should have the Knicks ramping up efforts to la...

SEPTEMBER 22 • DAILYKNICKS.COM

Moussa Diabate gets a reality check from former Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau | Sporting News Moussa Diabate might have missed an opportunity, but he is already thriving after taking the hardest path.

AUGUST 31 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

How Moussa Diabate benefited from having a veteran like Taj Gibson in the locker room | Sporting News Moussa Diabate's hard work and patience have paid off with his regular rotational role in Charlotte.

AUGUST 28 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

How the Charlotte Hornets Built a Good Defense Without a True Rim Protector The Charlotte Hornets do not have a true rim protector. As amazing as Moussa Diabate is, his true strength is offensive rebounding and relen...

JULY 29 • SI.COM

Knicks have an ideal trade target hiding in plain view after Moussa Cisse miss After unsuccessfully going after both Moussa Cisse and Moussa Diabate, the Knicks should turn their attentions to Dylan Cardwell of the Sacr...

JULY 19 • DAILYKNICKS.COM

More competition up front Diabate could face a more crowded path to playing time after Charlotte acquired additional frontcourt talent in the LaMelo Ball trade, Cholo Magsino of Yahoo Sports reports.

Impact The young big man showed flashes as an energy player and rebounder last season, but the additions of Naz Reid and internal improvement of second-year center Ryan Kalkbrenner may create increased competition for minutes. Diabate's defensive activity and athleticism should still give him an opportunity to earn a role, though his playing time may be less secure entering 2026-27.

JUNE 25 • ROTOWIRE

Moussa Diabaté's Reaction to NBA Hustle Award Says Everything About His Hornets Breakthrough Moussa Diabaté had a pretty honest first reaction to winning the NBA Hustle Award — "I didn't even know that was an award," Diabaté said wit...

JUNE 2 • SI.COM

Hornets make their belief in Moussa Diabate loud and clear The Hornets make their belief in Moussa Diabate unmistakable, signaling his growing importance to Charlotte’s future.

JUNE 2 • SWARMANDSTING.COM

Hornets' offseason could unlock a game-changing version of Moussa Diabate Moussa Diabate hasn’t taken a day off in the offseason, as he’s been continuously grinding in the gym. Outside the weight room though, one t...

MAY 8 • SWARMANDSTING.COM

Moussa Diabate's deserved award lays blueprint for Hornets' identity Moussa Diabate’s NBA Hustle Award win defines the effort and identity the Hornets need as they reshape their future.

APRIL 30 • SWARMANDSTING.COM

Charlotte's Moussa Diabaté wins NBA's Hustle Award for this season

Moussa Diabaté of the Charlotte Hornets has been announced as the NBA’s Hustle Award winner for this season

APRIL 30 • Associated Press

The Hornets Have to Keep Moussa Diabaté in Starting 5, But There's One Major Issue Moussa Diabaté was a real revelation for the Charlotte Hornets this year, even if his traditional stats aren't gaudy. The Hornets took off w...

APRIL 21 • SI.COM

Blocks three shots in loss Diabate had two points (1-4 FG), eight rebounds, two assists and three blocks across 18 minutes during Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to the Magic.

Impact Diabate tallied at least three blocks for the seventh time this season, closing out what could be considered a breakout campaign. However, although he was able to establish himself as the starting center in Charlotte, there are certainly some questions when it comes to his overall impact, especially for a team with lofty ambitions. In 75 appearances, Diabate averaged 7.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.7 combined steals and blocks.

APRIL 18 • ROTOWIRE

Available to play Diabate (hip) is available for Friday's play-in game versus the Magic.

Impact Diabate should continue to start Friday, and with him active, there will be fewer minutes available for Ryan Kalkbrenner and Xavier Tillman. In Tuesday's play-in win over Miami, Diabate finished with eight points, 14 rebounds, one assist and one block over 36 minutes.

APRIL 17 • ROTOWIRE

Moussa Diabate headlines Hornets injury report vs. Magic | Sporting News The Charlotte Hornets may be without center Moussa Diabate in Friday night's Play-In game against the Orlando Magic.

APRIL 17 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Added to injury report Diabate is questionable for Friday's Play-In Tournament game against the Magic due to left hip soreness.

Impact It's not clear as to when Diabate picked up this injury, as he logged 36 minutes during Tuesday's overtime win over the Heat. The team will presumably monitor the injury closely leading up to tipoff and should have more information to share on his availability closer to game time.

APRIL 16 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs 14 boards in win Diabate posted eight points (4-5 FG), 14 rebounds, one assist and one block in 36 minutes during Tuesday's 127-126 overtime Play-In Game victory over Miami.

Impact Despite scoring single digits for the sixth straight game, Diabate found other ways to impact the game, most notably on the boards, where he grabbed a team-high 14 rebounds. Charlotte will now face either Philadelphia or Orlando, with the winner going on to face the Pistons in round one of the playoffs.

APRIL 15 • ROTOWIRE

Knueppel and Ball finished 1-2 in the NBA in 3s. Now they hope to get Hornets to the playoffs

Kon Knueppel and LaMelo Ball have something in common with the Splash Brothers

APRIL 14 • Associated Press

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Naz Reid has 20 points and 11 rebounds in his Charlotte debut as the Hornets beat the Nets 110-103

Hornets look to find a new identity after trading away face of the franchise LaMelo Ball

Charlotte's Moussa Diabaté wins NBA's Hustle Award for this season

Knueppel and Ball finished 1-2 in the NBA in 3s. Now they hope to get Hornets to the playoffs