1 Hornets starter lands on injury report for do-or-die Magic game in NBA Play-In Tournament

The Charlotte Hornets will visit the Orlando Magic during the Eastern Conference play-in tournament on Friday. They could be without starting center Moussa Diabate during the win-or-go-home matchup.

Diabate landed on Charlotte’s injury report as questionable for the matchup due to left hip soreness. The 24-year-old injured his hip during Tuesday’s 127-126 overtime victory over the Miami Heat, but was able to finish the game.

Diabate played 34 minutes during the victory, finishing with eight points and 14 rebounds on 4-of-5 shooting. His potential absence vs. Orlando is a significant development for a Hornets squad lacking center depth.

Moussa Diabate injury status vs. Magic

Diabate has emerged as a critical piece for Charlotte this season. He’s averaged 7.9 points and 8.7 rebounds on 63.1 percent shooting in 26.0 minutes per game across 73 appearances with 47 starts.

Diabate has posted a +10.7 net rating swing (team points scored minus team points allowed per 100 possessions with a player on the court vs. off) this season, the fourth-highest among all big men who played over 1,500 minutes, per CleaningTheGlass. Only Nikola Jokic (+16.3), Victor Wembanyama (+15.2) and Bam Adebayo (+11.4) were higher.

Ryan Kalkbrenner could see expanded minutes on Friday if Diabate is unable to play. The rookie center played 13 minutes on Tuesday, posting six points and five rebounds on 3-of-4 shooting. Grant Williams should also play a significant role in the frontcourt after logging 18 minutes vs. Miami.

The Hornets are 3.5-point favorites on Friday, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.  Orlando is coming off a 109-97 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers during the East’s 7-8 matchup on Wednesday. Jonathan Isaac is questionable for the Magic due to a left knee sprain.

The winner of Friday’s game will be the East’s eighth seed and face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the first round.

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