RYAN KALKBRENNER NEWS

Dealing with ankle contusion Kalkbrenner is questionable for Friday's game against the Raptors with a left ankle contusion.

Impact Head coach Charles Lee said Kalkbrenner sprained his left ankle after Wednesday's 119-104 loss to the Knicks, so the fact that the rookie big man is tending to a contusion instead is an encouraging sign. If Kalkbrenner has to sit out, Moussa Diabate and Mason Plumlee would be in line to split the center minutes.

5 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Sprains ankle in loss Hornets coach Charles Lee said Kalkbrenner sprained his left ankle during Wednesday's 119-104 loss to the Knicks.

Impact Kalkbrenner tweaked his left ankle in the fourth quarter and didn't return to the game, finishing with eight points (2-4 FG, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds and three blocks in 25 minutes. He came off the bench for the first time this season behind Moussa Diabate, but fared much better than Diabate did. Lee did not provide an update on the severity of Kalkbrenner's sprain, leaving his status in the air for Friday's game against Toronto.

23 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Coming off bench Kalkbrenner will come off the bench Wednesday against the Knicks, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact After starting his 19 previous appearances, Kalkbrenner will shift to the second unit with Moussa Diabate getting the starting nod. Diabate has been surging lately, making this a position battle to monitor closely going forward.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Blocks three shots in win Kalkbrenner recorded seven points (2-2 FG, 3-4 FT), five rebounds and three blocks in 30 minutes during Friday's 123-116 win over the Bulls.

Impact Kalkbrenner got back to doing what he does best, scoring efficiently and blocking shots. After a strong start to his rookie season, Kalkbrenner had been in somewhat of a slump of late, failing to record a block in three straight appearances. Perhaps what was even more encouraging here was the fact that he logged 30 minutes for the first time in his past nine games.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Hornets surprisingly dodged a bullet with Ryan Kalkbrenner ahead of NBA Cup bout The Charlotte Hornets received a pleasant surprise after another bout with an injury scare when Ryan Kalkbrenner sustained a sprained ankle.

NOVEMBER 26 • SWARMANDSTING.COM

Absent from injury report Kalkbrenner (ankle) is off the injury report for Wednesday's game against the Knicks.

Impact After a sprained ankle cost him Sunday's game against the Hawks, the rookie big man is all set to return to the floor. Fewer minutes should be open to Mason Plumlee and Moussa Diabate on Wednesday. Kalkbrenner has averaged 8.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 24.4 minutes per contest over 10 games this month.

NOVEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Hornets and Knicks meet Wednesday in NBA Cup group stage

The Charlotte Hornets face the New York Knicks in an NBA Cup in-season tournament group play matchup

NOVEMBER 25 • Associated Press

Ruled out Sunday Kalkbrenner (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Hawks.

Impact Kalkbrenner will miss the second half of the Hornets' back-to-back set due to a sprained left ankle he sustained in Saturday's loss to the Clippers. With the rookie big man sidelined, Moussa Diabate is expected to enter the starting lineup, while Mason Plumlee is likely to see increased minutes. Kalkbrenner's next opportunity to play will come Wednesday against the Knicks.

NOVEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Downgraded to doubtful Kalkbrenner (ankle) has been downgraded to doubtful for Sunday's game against the Hawks.

Impact After exiting Saturday's loss to the Clippers in the second quarter due to a sprained left ankle, Kalkbrenner is expected to miss the second leg of the team's back-to-back set. If the rookie big man is ultimately ruled out, Moussa Diabate and Mason Plumlee are likely to see increased playing time.

NOVEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy for Sunday Kalkbrenner (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Hawks.

Impact Kalkbrenner didn't return to Saturday's game against the Clippers, finishing with two points, two rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes before leaving the contest in the second quarter. It's a positive sign that the rookie center still has a chance to suit up Sunday, but if the Hornets exercise caution, Moussa Diabate would likely start at center versus the Hawks, who'll be without Kristaps Porzinigs (rest).

NOVEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Charlotte visits Atlanta, aims to stop road skid

Charlotte aims to end its six-game road losing streak with a victory over Atlanta

NOVEMBER 23 • Associated Press

Harden erupts for 55, Clippers rout Hornets 131-116 in Paul's likely last game in North Carolina

James Harden made 10 3-pointers and scored a franchise-record 55 points, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Charlotte Hornets 131-116 hours after 12-time All-Star point guard Ch...

NOVEMBER 22 • Associated Press

Won't return Saturday Kalkbrenner (ankle) has been ruled out for the remainder of Saturday's game against the Clippers.

Impact The Hornets are referring to Kalkbrenner's ankle issue as soreness, which should be taken as a good sign. However, the rookie center should be considered highly questionable for the second half of Charlotte's back-to-back set in Atlanta on Sunday. In Kalkbrenner's absence, Moussa Diabate should see increased usage.

NOVEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to locker room Kalkbrenner is headed to the locker room after appearing to tweak his ankle during Saturday's game against the Clippers, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact The Hornets have yet to release an update on Kalkbrenner's status, but he can be considered questionable to return. While he's unavailable, Moussa Diabate should see increased usage. Kalkbrenner notched two points, two rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes before leaving the contest in the second quarter.

NOVEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Sharing center duties Kalkbrenner contributed 10 points (4-5 FG, 2-3 FT) and nine rebounds over 25 minutes during Wednesday's 127-118 loss to the Pacers.

Impact It's been difficult to decipher which Hornets big man fantasy managers should invest in between Kalkbrenner and teammate Moussa Diabate. What is clear, is that the former is a steady source of efficient shooting nights. Kalkbrenner is shooting 81.1% on the season, the highest mark in the NBA thus far. He was unusually quiet on defense, though, after failing to register a block or steal for the only the second time this month.

NOVEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Barrett scores tiebreaking basket as Raptors beat Hornets 110-108

RJ Barrett scored the tiebreaking basket with 18 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes both had pivotal blocked shots in the final moments and the T...

NOVEMBER 18 • Associated Press

Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren lead Thunder to 109-96 win over Hornets for 5th straight victory

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points and Chet Holmgren added 25 as the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder used a big third quarter to beat the Charlotte Hornets 109-96 fo...

NOVEMBER 16 • Associated Press

Off injury report Saturday Kalkbrenner (personal) is off the injury report for Saturday's game against the Thunder.

Impact After missing Friday's game against the Bucks for personal reasons, Kalkbrenner is ready to rejoin the team for Saturday's tilt. The rookie big man should push Moussa Diabate to the bench. Kalkbrenner has averaged 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 11 games this season, shooting 83.3 percent from the field.

NOVEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Thunder face the Hornets, look for 5th straight victory

Oklahoma City will attempt to keep its four-game win streak alive when the Thunder take on Charlotte

NOVEMBER 15 • Associated Press

Out for personal reasons Kalkbrenner (personal) is out for Friday's game against the Bucks.

Impact Kalkbrenner won't be available for the first time this season Friday. The rookie second-rounder has a short turnaround if he wants to rejoin the team for Saturday's showdown with the Thunder. Moussa Diabate stands out as the most likely option to replace Kalkbrenner in the starting group against Milwaukee, with Mason Plumlee also in position to pick up the backup center role.

NOVEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Enjoys perfect shooting night Kalkbrenner totaled 17 points (8-8 FG, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds, three blocks and one steal over 27 minutes during Wednesday's 111-100 victory over the Bucks.

Impact Kalkbrenner made the most of every offensive opportunity in this one, failing to miss a single shot on the night. He made an impact on the glass as well, falling just one rebound shy of his third double-double on the season. Kalkbrenner has been a steady contributor in the scoring and rebounding categories lately, averaging 11.5 points on 87.0 percent shooting from the field and 7.3 rebounds in 25.8 minutes over his last four games.

NOVEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Hornets rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner shines one day after becoming a father | Sporting News One day after the birth of his first daughter, Ryan Kalkbrenner didn't let a lack of sleep get in the way of his performance.

NOVEMBER 13 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Hornets snap losing streak with 111-100 win over Bucks as Bridges scores 20

Miles Bridges scored 20 points, Ryan Kalkbrenner had 17 points on 8-for-8 field goal shooting, and the Charlotte Hornets snapped a three-game losing streak with a 111-100 win over...

NOVEMBER 13 • Associated Press

Hornets control Giannis-less Bucks to break losing skid Miles Bridges scored 20 points and rookie center Ryan Kalkbrenner made all eight of his shots from the field as the Charlotte Hornets defeat...

NOVEMBER 13 • THESTATE.COM