Injuries are never fun to deal with for any NBA franchise. The Charlotte Hornets know that all too well after many of their key pieces have had to spend significant amounts of time on the sidelines this season.
For instance, LaMelo Ball has missed so many games that he isn't eligible for a major end-of-season award anymore despite a pathway for him possibly securing an All-NBA selection opening up earlier in the 2024-25 campaign. Mark Williams suited up in just 24 of the Hornets' first 54 contests and even saw his trade to the Los Angeles Lakers get revoked because of supposed concerns about his health.
Brandon Miller has had it worse compared to his fellow foundational players in Charlotte, as he sustained a season-ending torn ligament in his right wrist. He joined Grant Williams on the list of Hornets players who have already played their last match in this campaign.
A sidelined Tre Mann has opened opportunities for other standouts
Tre Mann could become the third on the team to have a season-ending injury due to the nature of his injury. He had a great start to the 2024-25 campaign, establishing himself as a Sixth Man of the Year favorite before his production dipped. Mann then had to be out indefinitely due to back soreness. Unfortunately, the current injury report has him sidelined because of disc irritation, which likely requires surgery to address.
Losing one of its top scorers was a considerable blow to Charlotte's offense. It is one of the worst in the league in bench scoring. On the bright side, Mann's absence has allowed other young guards to get the minutes that he would have otherwise soaked up.
A huge beneficiary, particularly in recent weeks, is Nick Smith Jr., whose offensive prowess and defensive deficiencies are quite similar to that of the University of Florida product. Smith Jr. has been on a tear this February. He has averaged 16.0 points on 48.0 percent shooting this month and has scored in double digits in every meeting except for a two-point performance against the Orlando Magic.
An unexpected revelation that has made the most of his opportunities for an injury-ravaged Hornets squad is two-way player Damion Baugh. The organization plucked him out of the G League right before the All-Star break, and to say that he impressed in his first two appearances (small sample, but still) would be an understatement.
The undrafted guard out of Texas Christian University has put up 15.0 points and 4.5 assists in 29.5 minutes per game off the bench, and his shooting splits round up to 73-57-100. If he can continue displaying his slick handles and ability to create shots for himself and his teammates, Baugh could land a long-term roster spot on the franchise.