National Basketball Association

Injuries Stunt the Charlotte Hornets' Development During Preseason

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Injuries have been a reoccurring struggle for the Charlotte Hornets after last season and it has continued into the preseason this year.

After a 2015-16 season that saw multiple injuries occur to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Al Jefferson, and others throughout the year, the Charlotte Hornets continue to be hurt by nagging injuries. The team has already faced their fair share of injury problems during training camp and the preseason. It isn’t the regular season but the presence of injuries has already been prevalent with the team.

While none of the injuries that the Hornets’ players are facing are serious, they are still a nuisance. The minor ailments to Cody Zeller, Kemba Walker, Perry Ellis, Mike Tobey, and Brian Roberts have already held back some of the players. The missed practices and games stall the improvements of individuals and the team as a whole.

Key players are missing out on preseason minutes to prepare for the regulars season and important practices during training camp. Even head coach, Steve Clifford, said that “We’ve had an uneven couple of weeks (injury). We haven’t been able to get all the stuff in & have the type of practices we usually have.” (@Hornets)

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Cody Zeller

Cody Zeller is still recovering from a bone bruise in his knee that he suffered during the playoff last season. He was almost fully healthy this summer but suffered a setback during practice with the USA Select Team. He has yet to begin contact drills with the team during training camp and has yet to see game acton during the preseason. The nagging injury may cause his to lose his starting center spot to Roy Hibbert. The minor bruise has since turned into a reoccurring problem that doesn’t have an end in sight.

Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker underwent offseason knee surgery and was only expected to be out for six to eight weeks. That later turned into almost three months of recovery. The starting point guard was cleared for full-contact drills during training camp. Since, he has appeared in exhibition games on a limited basis after missing the preseason opener. Luckily, Walker seems full recovered and the team’s easing him back before the regular season.

Perry Ellis

Perry Ellis on the other hand underwent surgery for a sports hernia during the summer and has yet to practice or play with the Hornets this offseason. Although it wasn’t likely that he would make the final 15 man roster to begin with, the injury definitely hurts his chances. The big man will likely spend the season in the D-League with the Greensboro Swarm but he is missing valuable lessons and experience with Charlotte during training camp and preseason.

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Mike Tobey

The big man has also yet to play in a preseason game as he is dealing with a left hamstring injury. Tobey is looking to make a name for himself with the Hornets. He is looking better and may make an appearance for the team sometime this preseason. He could also spend his rookie year with the Greensboro Swarm but missing valuable minutes in the preseason can not be replaced.

Brian Roberts

Brian Roberts injury was too his left hamstring as well but he has since recovered and appears to be fully healthy going forward. While he is not a young player, he is the team’s emergency, third string point guard and they need him to stay healthy throughout the regular season just in case something happens to Kemba Walker or Ramon Sessions.

While some of these players may not be on the team for the regular season, guys like Cody Zeller and Brian Roberts are going to be vital pieces for the Hornets. Without Zeller playing, he isn’t getting adjusted to his new teammates and vice versa.

While there haven’t been any major injuries to big name players like MKG last preseason, the injury bug is still sticking with the team. The Charlotte Hornets have dealt with a number of injuries but hopefully everyone can be healthy for the regular season. The injuries are forcing young players and veterans alike to miss out on valuable practices in training camp and minutes in preseason games.

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