Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (foot) has been downgraded to doubtful for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. He played 30 minutes on Friday and didn't seem bothered by the foot issue. However, it appears the Hornets are going to take the cautious approach here. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Cody Martin are expected to gain the most value from the loss of Hayward. Oubre would have plenty of streaming appeal if Hayward is out. Martin might be a deep league option, but there should be better options available.

Charlotte Hornets small forward Gordon Hayward (back) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Thursday's matchup vs. Denver. Hayward missed his first game of the year Monday due to a back ailment, which allowed Kelly Oubre Jr. to slide into the starting five. Hayward racked up sizable minutes totals to begin December, but those have dipped as of late, leading to back-to-back single-digit scoring outputs last week (following a season-high 41-point eruption). Oubre is likely to slide back into a bench role, which caps his DFS upside. Hayward has a favorable matchup Thursday, as the Nuggets' defense has yielded the fourth-highest shooting percentage (47%) in the league.

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Kelly Oubre Jr. will make his 10th start of the season on Monday against Utah, replacing Gordon Hayward (back). The former Jazz star was doubtful for the game and couldn't make it in the end. Oubre Jr. has averaged 18.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and two assists as a starter this season. He tends to be very inconsistent with his play, but Oubre Jr. certainly has plenty of fantasy appeal.

Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (back) is listed as doubtful for Monday's game against the Utah Jazz. He has been struggling over the last two games, but the back discomfort likely has something to do with it. That being said, it wouldn't be shocking to see the Hornets take the cautious approach. Kelly Oubre Jr. would likely slide into the starting five, assuming Hayward is out. Oubre would be a decent DFS option with an expanded role on Monday.

Charlotte Hornets small forward Gordon Hayward had an amazing performance against the Spurs on Wednesday, scoring a season-high 41 points in just 29 minutes. He heated up in a hurry and ended up shooting 15-for-19 from the field and 5-for-6 from downtown. Hayward also found some time to rack up five rebounds and three assists. The 31-year-old tends to pop up with a big performance here and there, and he also recently had a 31-point effort against Philadelphia. Unfortunately, Hayward has a habit of cooling down quickly, and his usage is starting to take a hit with the team returning to full health. LaMelo Ball (health and safety protocols) should be back as well on Friday against Portland.

Charlotte Hornets small forward Gordon Hayward poured in a season-high 31 points during a 110-106 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. The Butler product shot 10-for-18 from the field, including 2-for-5 behind the arc, and 9-for-10 from the line. The 31-year-old also posted five boards, seven assists, a block, and a steal across 41 minutes. Hayward has assumed playmaking and alpha responsibilities with guards LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier in the league's health and safety protocols, boosting his value over the past week. On the season, Hayward is averaging over 17.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 triples per game on 44.6% shooting from the field. His value will take a small dip when the pair returns but should enjoy an uptick in usage in the meantime.

Charlotte Hornets small forward Gordon Hayward posted 25 points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and three steals during a 121-118 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday. The 31-year-old shot 9-for-15 from the field, including 1-for-4 from three-point range, and 6-for-7 from the free-throw line across 31 minutes. The Butler product has settled in as the third option on a fantasy-friendly offense behind point guard LaMelo Ball and forward Miles Bridges. While light on defensive stats, Hayward contributes across all offensive categories and has strong-to-elite ratios in both FG and FT percentages.

Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (hamstring) will play during Wednesday's game against the Washington Wizards. He has been dealing with a hamstring issue, but was in no real danger of missing this game. Hayward had two full days to rest and should be completely fine for this contest. He has scored 20 points or more in five of his last six games. Fantasy managers should feel confident with Hayward active for Wednesday's slate.

Charlotte Hornets small forward Gordon Hayward collected 22 points with five rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block in Friday's home win against the Knicks. He missed both of his attempts from deep but shot a good 9-for-17 overall from the field and finished 4-for-5 at the foul line. Hayward started the month with a six-point dud against Cleveland, but he's since then found his rhythm and gone for at least 20 points in five of six outings. He'll now meet a couple of very good defensive teams in Golden State and Washington, which will be a big challenge for Hayward. He did have a good 23-point, 11-rebound game against the Warriors earlier in the month.

Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward enjoyed a bounce-back game in Wednesday's loss to Golden State. Coming off of a season-low seven shot attempts, Hayward was far more aggressive against the Warriors defense, converting on 8 of 15 shots for 23 points and 11 boards for his first double-double of the year. The veteran forward has been more volatile this season with the breakout of Miles Bridges chipping away at his usage, though he can still be counted on for solid numbers in points, rebounds, assists, and threes, with some steals sprinkled in.

Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward did a little bit of everything in Wednesday's win over the Magic. Hayward excelled on both ends of the floor, scoring 24 points with five assists and two triples on offense while chipping in five boards, two steals, and a block on the defensive end. The 31-year-old forward was a model of efficiency, as evidenced by his 69.2 percent shooting from the field, 66.7 percent from deep, and 100 percent from the charity stripe en route to his second 20-plus point effort of the year. Hayward is playing 35.6 minutes per contest and looks poised to contribute his usual solid averages in points, rebounds, assists, and three-pointers for his fantasy managers.

Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward totaled 27 points, five rebounds, three assists, one steal and three turnovers on 10-for-22 shooting from the field in Wednesday's 123-122 victory against the Pacers. Hayward logged a team-high 35 minutes in the contest as the Hornets came back from a 23-point deficit, as the 31-year-old played a significant role in the comeback alongside point guard LaMelo Ball. Hayward is entering his second season with the Hornets, and he is a quality option across all fantasy formats heading into Friday's game against the Cavaliers.

Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward has cleared quarantine and is expected to play in Wednesday's season opener against the Indiana Pacers. Hayward has gone through some practices and feels good heading into the season. Although, Hayward could be on a minutes limit while he gets up his conditioning. Fantasy managers might want to monitor him for Wednesday, but he should be fine going forward.

Charlotte Hornets small forward Gordon Hayward and center Mason Plumlee have been ruled out for Monday's preseason game against the Miami Heat due to health and safety protocols. Both players were put under health and safety protocols this past week and neither have played in the preseason yet. However, assuming no setbacks, they should both be ready for the start of the regular season. The Hornets will also be without Terry Rozier (ankle) on Monday and Kelly Oubre Jr. (ankle) is doubtful. Rookie James Bouknight, who scored 17 points in Thursday's game, should see a good amount of run on Monday. Jalen McDaniels is also worth a look for anyone playing DFS for Monday's slate.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Charlotte Hornets have picked up the team option on coach James Borrego’s contract for next season, said a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the Hornets do not publicly release information about staff contracts. It's unclear if the Hornets will look to sign Borrego to a long-term contact. Borrego is 95-124 in three seasons with the Hornets, including a 33-39 mark this season. The Hornets qualified for the play-in tournament as the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference but were eliminated after being routed 144-117 by the Indiana Pacers. Several players called the performance embarrassing. The Hornets were in fourth place in April, but injuries and COVID-19-related issues sidelined key players, including Gordon Hayward, LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Devonte Graham and Malik Monk and the team began to slide. Charlotte finished the season losing its last six games. Borrego received an endorsement after the season from general manager Mitch Kupchak, who said he believes “the coach did a great job.” ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — While the Charlotte Hornets found a player to build around in point guard LaMelo Ball and made significant strides this season, coach James Borrego knows there’s plenty of work to do before his young team is ready to compete with the NBA’s elite. And he’s hoping a disappointing finish to the season will provide the impetus to get there. Charlotte was fourth in the Eastern Conference last month before injuries sent the team into a tailspin. The Hornets were 8-17 after Gordon Hayward went down with a season-ending foot injury and lost their final six games, including an embarrassing 144-117 loss to the Indiana Pacers in the play-in tournament. Borrego said the late season struggles serve as a “necessary step” for the Hornets. “Every great team, every great player has been hit in the mouth to close the season — every one of them,” Borrego said. “I have yet to see a player or organization from day one where they come out and are just rolling. It just doesn't happen. This... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — LaMelo Ball scored 23 points, including two free throws with 5.8 seconds left, and the Charlotte Hornets took another step toward the postseason with a 102-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night. Detroit trailed by two when rookie Killian Hayes was fouled with 9.4 seconds remaining, but he made just one of two free throws. Ball made his free throws at the other end, and Hayes missed a last-second 3-pointer. Hamidou Diallo scored a career-high 35 points for Detroit. The Hornets are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and are in solid shape to make it at least to the play-in round. They are two games behind seventh-place Boston. “Every game’s important late in the season,” Charlotte's Terry Rozier said. “Melo came in and put us on his back.” Charlotte was without Miles Bridges, who was out because of health and safety protocols. “I don’t know the extent, the days. We have not confirmed that yet," coach James Borrego said before the game. “What that means,... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — LaMelo Ball scored 23 points, including two free throws with 5.8 seconds left, and the Charlotte Hornets took another step toward the postseason with a 102-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night. Detroit trailed by two when rookie Killian Hayes was fouled with 9.4 seconds remaining, but he made just one of two free throws. Ball made his free throws at the other end, and Hayes missed a last-second 3-pointer. Hamidou Diallo scored a career-high 35 points for Detroit. The Hornets are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and are in solid shape to make it at least to the play-in round. They are two games behind seventh-place Boston. Charlotte was without Miles Bridges, who was out because of health and safety protocols. “I don’t know the extent, the days. We have not confirmed that yet," coach James Borrego said before the game. “What that means, for us down the road, I don’t know. He is out tonight, and we’ll just take it from here.” Terry Rozier scored 18... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — LaMelo Ball is ready to return to the Charlotte Hornets' starting lineup following a 21-game absence. Hornets coach James Borrego said the NBA rookie of the year candidate will start Saturday night’s game against the Detroit Pistons. The No. 3 pick in last year's NBA draft has not played since breaking his wrist on March 20 and undergoing surgery to repair the fracture. Borrego said guard Malik Monk will also return after missing 15 games with an ankle injury. “I don't have a specific number of minutes in mind,” Borrego said of how much they will play. “The biggest thing are the runs they are going to have out there, probably four- to five-minute runs. I don't think it will be anything past a five-minute run. How many of those runs, I'm not quote sure yet." Borrego said Ball will start in place of Devonte Graham. Ball is averaging 15.9 points, 6.1 assists and 5.9 rebounds per game this year and was named the NBA rookie of the month three times before being sidelined... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks were without all five of their usual starters Friday night as they hosted the Charlotte Hornets a night after losing at Dallas. Reigning two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out his third straight game with a sore left knee. He missed his sixth game in the last 11. Jrue Holiday (bruised left knee), Donte DiVincenzo (bruised right hip), Brook Lopez (sore back), Khris Middleton (sore right knee) and reserve forward P.J. Tucker (strained left calf) also were declared out. Middleton and Lopez were listed as doubtful on Friday afternoon's injury report, but Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said at his pregame availability that neither will play. Charlotte also isn’t close to full strength. The Hornets announced Saturday that Gordon Hayward would miss at least a month with a sprained right foot. Rookie of the Year candidate LaMelo Ball hasn’t played since March 20 because of a fractured right wrist. Malik Monk has been out the last week with a sprained right... [More]