James Harden
January 2026
Harden passed O’Neal for ninth all-time in regular-season points, then extended the gap while posting 32 points and 10 assists in a Clippers win. A third-quarter three pushed him past O’Neal’s total; he built separation across the second half and remains well behind Wilt Chamberlain in eighth.
Rick Carlisle
January 2026
Carlisle became the 11th NBA coach to reach 1,000 wins after Indiana beat Charlotte 114-112, ending a brutal month that included a 13-game losing streak. Indiana closed the final minute with key plays including a Siakam go-ahead finish and a steal after. Carlisle credited players for grinding through injuries and setbacks, emphasising standards and adaptability across eras.
Kon Knueppel
December 2025
Kon Knueppel left the Hornets’ clash with the Magic due to a right ankle injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game, cutting short a promising outing in which the No. 4 overall pick had already scored a team-high 16 points for Charlotte. The rookie, averaging 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists across his first 30 NBA games, had appeared in every contest this season before this setback. Charlotte confirmed his absence for the rest of the night, with further evaluation to determine how long he will be sidelined.
Trae Young
December 2025
Trae Young will return to the Atlanta Hawks lineup against the Charlotte Hornets after missing nearly two months with a sprained right MCL, having originally gone down on October 29 following a five game start that saw him average 17.8 points and 7.8 assists. Atlanta have gone 13 wins and nine losses without their four time All Star, who led the league in assists last season, and they now hope his playmaking lift can push a 15-12 team higher in the East as he eases back under minutes management.
Seth Curry
December 2025
Golden State have signed veteran guard Seth Curry for the rest of the season, reuniting him with brother Stephen on an NBA roster for the first time, after Seth impressed last year with Charlotte by leading the league in three point percentage at 45.6. Fresh from a strong shooting season and a history with the Warriors’ G League affiliate, Seth joins a team currently missing Steph due to a quad contusion, giving Steve Kerr another elite spacer while the brothers wait for medical clearance to finally share the floor in regular season action.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
November 2025
Giannis sits vs Hornets due to left knee patellar tendinopathy during a dense schedule block. He leads the league in scoring and remains top-10 in boards; Milwaukee manages load amid additional absences (Taurean Prince, Kevin Porter Jr.). Medical staff balance short-term rest with upcoming back-to-backs. Expect usage redistribution to guards and interior touches for secondary bigs, with monitoring of symptom response before ramp-up later in the week.
Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
November 2025
Adebayo exited early vs Denver with left big-toe sprain; MRI confirmed injury, day-to-day. Miami were crushed on the glass without him as Nikola Jokić logged a 33-16-15 triple-double; Denver outrebounded Miami 61-38, 21-5 offensive boards. Expect Heat to patch the five with small-ball and drop-coverage adjustments, toggling zone to protect the paint. Offense shifts toward handoff-lite sets and guard pull-ups until Adebayo’s DHO hub returns. Monitoring soreness and propulsion off the toe is key.
LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets)
November 2025
LaMelo Ball remains out with right-ankle impingement after missing Sunday’s win over Utah. He is averaging 23.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists this season, a heavy on-ball load that drives Charlotte’s transition play and pick-and-roll tempo. Without Ball, Charlotte rely on half-court execution and secondary creators to hold efficiency. The schedule turns friendlier with six of the next ten at home, giving medical staff time to manage swelling and movement pain while preserving long-term availability.
Brandon Miller (Charlotte Hornets)
October 2025
Miller left clutching his left shoulder in the second quarter and was ruled out after nine minutes (four points). The 2023 No.2 pick, eyeing a breakout after last season’s long wrist-ligament layoff, had opened 2025–26 with 25 points vs Brooklyn. Charlotte will reassess, mindful of prior absences and a central scoring role alongside LaMelo Ball’s playmaking.
Spencer Dinwiddie (Charlotte Hornets)
July 2025
Spencer Dinwiddie has signed a one-year deal with the Charlotte Hornets. He averaged 11 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.6 rebounds last season across 79 games, including 30 starts with Dallas.
Dinwiddie brings veteran leadership and scoring to the Hornets’ young core. Entering his 12th season, he’s expected to provide stability and experience in Charlotte’s rotation.