Moussa Diabaté News, Rumors, Updates - Charlotte Hornets

Helps fill in for resting Williams Diabate (eye) tallied 11 points (3-10 FG, 5-7 FT) and six rebounds across 29 minutes in Thursday's 129-115 loss to the Nuggets.

Impact Though Jusuf Nurkic drew the start at center with Mark Williams (conditioning) resting for the second leg of the back-to-back set, Diabate saw the larger share of playing time. So long as head coach Charles Lee sticks with Nurkic as the top backup when Williams plays, however, Diabate looks as though he'll be the odd man out of the rotation, as was the case in Wednesday's 100-97 win over the Lakers. Diabate was available for that contest but didn't play in a coach's decision, after he had missed the Hornets' final game before the All-Star break on Feb. 12 in Orlando due to a right eye abrasion.

FEBRUARY 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Off injury report for Wednesday Diabate (eye) is off the Hornets' injury report for Wednesday's game against the Lakers.

Impact The big man is set to return to game action after missing the club's final outing before the All-Star break due to a right eye abrasion. With Mark Williams (reconditioning) listed as probable to suit up, Diabate will likely rejoin the second unit. Over his last five outings (three starts), the 23-year-old has averaged 10.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 21.2 minutes per contest.

FEBRUARY 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out Wednesday Diabate (eye) is out for Wednesday's game against the Magic.

Impact A right eye abrasion will cost Diabate Charlotte's last game prior to the All-Star break Wednesday. His next opportunity to take the court arrives Feb. 19 against the Lakers. In Diabate's absence against Orlando, Jusuf Nurkic appears to be the most likely candidate to join the Hornets' starting lineup in his team debut, with Tidjane Salaun and DaQuan Jeffries also being set for additional minutes.

FEBRUARY 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy for Wednesday Diabate (eye) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Magic.

Impact Diabate sustained the right eye abrasion during Sunday's loss to Detroit. The big man was able to suit up in Monday's loss to the Nets, though he exited the game early due to the right eye abrasion. With Mark Williams (not injury related) off of the injury report, Jusuf Nurkic and Taj Gibson could see a slight bump in minutes if Diabate is sidelined.

FEBRUARY 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers eye injury Diabate won't return to Monday's game against the Nets due to a right eye abrasion. He tallied 21 points (9-11 FG, 3-6 FT), 10 rebounds and two blocks across 27 minutes before leav...

Impact Diabate was cruising to a big night prior to going down with the injury. Jusuf Nurkic and Taj Gibson will be forced to hold down the center position during the final period with both Diabate and Mark Williams (not injury related) out.

FEBRUARY 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Available against Nets Diabate (eye) is available for Monday's game against the Nets.

Impact After exiting Sunday's game against the Pistons with an eye injury, Diabate has been cleared to play on the second leg of Charlotte's back-to-back. Over his last seven games, the big man has averaged 9.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 0.7 steals in 22.8 minutes. With Jusuf Nurkic available to make his Hornets debut, Diabate could lose some playing time.

FEBRUARY 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Listed questionable for Monday Diabate (eye) is questionable for Monday's game against the Nets.

Impact Diabate suffered an eye abrasion during Sunday's 112-102 loss to the Pistons and left the game for good after seven minutes. It's unclear if Mark Williams will be cleared to play in his return to Charlotte after an unsuccessful trade with the Lakers due to a failed medical, so this is a situation to monitor closely.

FEBRUARY 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Hornets sign F Moussa Diabate to 3-year deal The Charlotte Hornets signed forward Moussa Diabate to a standard three-year deal.Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed by the Horn...

FEBRUARY 10, 2025 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Hornets sign F Moussa Diabate to contract extension

The Charlotte Hornets have signed forward Moussa Diabate to a multiyear contract

FEBRUARY 10, 2025 • Associated Press

Doesn't return Sunday Diabate (eye) did not return to Sunday's 112-102 loss to the Pistons. He finished the game with five points (2-2 FG, 1-2 FT) and one rebound across seven minutes.

Impact Diabate exited to the locker room after he was hit in the face by an opposing player in the second quarter. The big man can be considered questionable at best for Monday's game against the Nets until the team provides another update on his status. With Mark Williams' (trade rescinded) status up in the air as well, DaQuan Jeffries and Taj Gibson could see a bump in playing time.

FEBRUARY 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Doubtful to return vs. Detroit Diabate is doubtful to return in Sunday's game against the Pistons due to a right eye injury, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact In the likely event that Diabate remains out, he'll finish the game with five points (2-2 FG, 1-2 FT) and one rebound across seven minutes after exiting to the locker room in the second quarter. With the big man expected to join Mark Williams (not injury related) on the sideline the rest of the way, Tidjane Salaun and Taj Gibson will likely see a bump in minutes.

FEBRUARY 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves for locker room Sunday Diabate exited to the locker room after sustaining an apparent facial injury in the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Pistons, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press...

Impact Diabate caught a blow to the face from an opposing player and needed assistance walking back to the locker room. If the big man is unable to return, Taj Gibson and DaQuan Jeffries will likely see a bump in playing time the rest of the way.

FEBRUARY 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Hornets converting Moussa Diabate's two-way contract to a standard three-year deal Shams Charania: The Charlotte Hornets are converting two-way forward Moussa Diabate to a standard three-year NBA contract, sources tell ESPN...

FEBRUARY 9, 2025 • HOOPSHYPE.COM

Upgraded from two-way contract The Hornets are expected to convert Diabate from a two-way contract to a standard three-year NBA deal Sunday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Impact Having already appeared in 42 games this season, Diabate was nearing his allotted limit of 50 games at the NBA level as a two-way player, so the Hornets' decision to upgrade him to standard contract comes as little surprise. Diabate had played 20-plus minutes in seven of Charlotte's last nine games while averaging 8.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.9 steals in 23.7 minutes per contest, but his outlook for playing time could become murkier moving forward. The Hornets and Lakers rescinded their trade from Thursday that would have sent Mark Williams to Los Angeles after the big man was unable to pass a physical, so Williams will return to Charlotte and will presumably settle back in as the club's starting center once he receives a clean bill of health. Williams is unlikely to be available for the Hornets' upcoming game Sunday versus the Pistons, however, so Diabate should be in store for at least one more appearance with boosted minutes.

FEBRUARY 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs 15 boards in start Diabate notched nine points (4-10 FG, 1-1 FT), 15 rebounds and six assists over 33 minutes during Friday's 117-116 victory over San Antonio.

Impact Diabate got the starting nod Friday, falling one point short of a double-double. With Mark Williams now in Los Angeles, Diabate appears as though he will be the starting center moving forward, despite the addition of Jusuf Nurkic. Although Diabate's overall appeal is somewhat limited, he should be a great source of rebounds, with some upside when it comes to efficiency and defensive contributions.

FEBRUARY 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Set to start against San Antonio Diabate is in the starting five for Friday's game versus the Spurs.

Impact Diabate will make his fifth start of the season Friday. The 22-year-old big man is averaging 2.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 30.5 minutes across his four starting appearances in 2024-25.

FEBRUARY 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Logs double-double in reserve Diabate recorded 10 points (2-2 FG, 6-8 FT), 13 rebounds and two assists over 22 minutes during Wednesday's 112-102 loss to the Bucks.

Impact Despite registering just two field-goal attempts Wednesday, Diabate managed to reach double-digit points for the fourth time in his last five games thanks to his solid efficiency from the charity stripe. The third-year center finished as the Hornets' leading rebounder en route to his fourth double-double of the season (and his second in his last four games). Diabate has had some solid production off the bench this season, particularly on the glass, but for now he's firmly behind Mark Williams in the center rotation.

FEBRUARY 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Double-double off bench in loss Diabate supplied 11 points (5-11 FG, 1-2 FT), 14 rebounds and three steals in 32 minutes off the bench during Friday's 112-104 loss to the Clippers.

Impact The double-double was the third of the season for Diabate, but his first since Nov. 16. The 23-year-old center has seen his workload increase over the last week while Mark Williams deals with a foot injury, playing more than 20 minutes in four of the last five games while averaging 8.6 points, 9.0 boards, 1.4 steals and 1.2 assists in 24.0 minutes a contest.

FEBRUARY 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Hornets vs Nets: Moussa Diabate Postgame Media Availability

JANUARY 30, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Hauls in 13 boards Saturday Diabate ended with nine points (2-2 FG, 5-7 FT), 13 rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 29 minutes during Saturday's 123-92 victory over the Pelicans.

Impact Diabate led both teams in rebounding Saturday and was one point shy from registering his third double-double of the regular season (and his first since Nov. 16 against the Bucks). Diabate earned significant playing time in November, but he saw his playing time diminish behind Nick Richards and Mark Williams. With Richards now in Phoenix, Diabate has an opportunity to earn a larger role for himself in Charlotte's big man rotation.

JANUARY 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Available against Bulls Diabate (illness) is available for Friday's game against the Bulls.

Impact Diabate will play through an illness for the Hornets on Friday, and he's in line to make his first appearance in the NBA since a Dec. 30 loss to Chicago. The 22-year-old big man should handle Charlotte's backup center role behind starter Mark Williams with Nick Richards now out of the picture, and Diabate is averaging 6.8 rebounds in 17.9 minutes over 30 contests (four starts) in 2024-25.

JANUARY 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Friday Diabate (illness) is questionable for Friday's game against the Bulls.

Impact Diabate hasn't seen action at the NBA level since Dec. 30, though there could be some minutes coming in his future with Nick Richards now in Phoenix.

JANUARY 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Goes scoreless in loss Diabate produced three rebounds across nine minutes during Monday's 115-108 overtime loss to Chicago.

Impact Diabate continues to play a muted role off the bench, typically serving as the third-string center behind Mark Williams and Nick Richards. Despite being one of the better offensive rebounders in the league, Diabate's offensive game is basically non-existent. Barring injuries to either Williams or Richards, Diabate is unlikely to step into a meaningful role any time soon.

DECEMBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs seven boards in loss Diabate produced seven points (2-4 FG, 3-4 FT) and seven rebounds in 18 minutes during Friday's 108-98 loss to Philadelphia.

Impact Diabate saw additional playing time with Mark Williams resting on the second night of a back-to-back. After proving his worth as an elite offensive rebounder earlier in the season, Diabate's opportunities are now likely to be few and far between given both Williams and Nick Richards are healthy.

DECEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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Hornets sign F Moussa Diabate to contract extension