Hornets couldn't capitalize on their strong start with a surprise starter

The Charlotte Hornets entered their Monday matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a significant problem.

Mark Williams has yet to make his season debut. He was expected to initially miss two weeks during the preseason, but it seems his foot injury has become a major entry on his already lengthy injury history.

Fortunately, the Hornets have resisted any temptation to trade Nick Richards away because the 26-year-old big man has continued to do well in Williams' stead. However, he is also sidelined due to a shoulder ailment.

Taj Gibson's surprising starting stint buoyed the Hornets

Richards missed his second consecutive contest, sitting out the second leg of Charlotte's back-to-back bouts with the Boston Celtics. The lack of depth at the center position proved too tough for the squad to overcome, as the Celtics won the battle of the boards. It was only the second time this season the Hornets were outrebounded.

Charles Lee opted for a different approach against the Wolves, as he put in Taj Gibson. It was a sensible move, though. Having Grant Williams or Moussa Diabate on the floor at the opening tip would have made the team vulnerable to a takeover game from four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.

For a while, the decision paid off for the Hornets. A rejuvenated Gibson catalyzed their strong start. He even beat Gobert at the opening jump ball, then sank a corner 3-pointer off Miles Bridges' pass in the first possession of the match.

The 39-year-old scored off a tip-in over a minute later to push Charlotte's lead to 7-2. He was then subbed out at the 7:37 mark with a stat line of five points and three rebounds.

Even with Gibson on the bench, the Hornets managed to race to an 18-11 lead. That's where it all went downhill for them, though.

Minnesota ended the first quarter on a 13-6 run before outscoring the visitors 33-21 in the second quarter. Its bench and defense proved superior. Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker combined for 20 points, while none of their counterparts scored more than four.

The Hornets clearly need LaMelo Ball to lock in. While the Hornets star was able to avoid committing a foul, which has been one of his weaknesses in this campaign, he turned the ball over five times.

Perhaps Gibson can inspire the team to pick it up in the second half. Otherwise, Charlotte will lose for the third consecutive time after a solid start to the 2024-25 regular season.