Ryan Kalkbrenner is set to sit out just one game to nurse an ankle injury, as the Charlotte Hornets did not list him on the injury report ahead of their bout with the New York Knicks on Wednesday. It's a bit shocking that he can return to play this soon, considering how worse it could have been based on how his ankle appeared to turn when he sustained the injury.
It certainly is a welcome development for the Hornets, who will try to snap a nine-game skid in the in-season tournament, a streak that dates back to 2023. They are also getting back LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, with the stars not suiting up in their previous loss at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks as part of their injury management.
The Knicks have more at stake on Wednesday because, at 1-1, they still have a chance to reach the NBA Cup's knockout stage. Charlotte has not yet been officially eliminated, but it is already near-impossible for the team to advance after losing to the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks in its first two matches in the tournament.
However, the Hornets aren't expected to just give up the contest — and they shouldn't — partly because it's their first home game in this year's NBA Cup. In addition, they have lost six consecutive regular-season bouts, and it would be nice for them to get back on the winning track.
Ryan Kalkbrenner update was much needed for Hornets
The rookie center would give Charlotte a vital boost against New York's imposing frontcourt, led by five-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns. Mitchell Robinson is also expected to return to the lineup after he missed his club's previous bout while dealing with an illness. Kalkbrenner should help deter Towns from dominating the paint and Robinson from controlling the boards.
Looking at the long term, it bodes well for the Hornets to have Kalkbrenner back so quickly. Sitting out a significant number of games would have been a snag in his progress, and he has already shown the potential to be the franchise's starting center of the future.
They also need the former Creighton University star to be as healthy as possible, since he is already one of their best defenders. He is the Hornets' leader in defensive rating and defensive win shares. Of course, he is far from a finished product, as opponents have tried to exploit his lack of mobility and struggle to defend in space. However, time and reps may be all Kalkbrenner needs to figure out how to compensate for his physical limitations.
Furthermore, Charlotte doesn't have that much leeway if he, or Moussa Diabate, for that matter, has to be sidelined for an extended period. Mason Plumlee did well as a spot starter against the Hawks, but the Hornets can't expect him to put up an all-around performance every game.
And it's not as if they have anyone else who can play the center outside the trio. So, the Hornets have to keep hoping that Kalkbrenner can resist the injury bug that has relentlessly preyed on them in recent years.