Gordon Hayward upgraded to questionable, Hornets with chance to end losing streak
By Ben Handler
There’s some promising news on the Hornets injury report entering Wednesday night’s game at home against the Raptors, but it’s not LaMelo Ball or Mark Williams. It’s Gordon Hayward, who hasn’t played since December 26th due to a calf injury but is now listed as ‘Questionable’ to face the Raps.
The Hornets have now lost 8 games in a row and sit at 13th in the East at 10-39. But the Raptors come into Charlotte on a three-game losing streak of their own and they’ve lost 12 of 14, crumbling since trading veterans, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam to the Knicks and Pacers respectively.
The 17-33 Raptors, led by third-year stud and first-time All-Star (as a replacement selection), Scottie Barnes, are still favored by 6.5 points, but the Hornets have been playing decently against solid competition, with Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges on fire, and they’ve got to be due for a win.
If the Hornets can’t pull this one out, they’ll host the comically injured Grizzlies on Saturday, who have resorted to playing G-Leaguers and guys on 10-day contracts for heavy minutes. They’ve been scrapping and fighting, but the Hornets could actually be favored in that game.
Hornets Injury Report
For the Hornets, LaMelo Ball (ankle), Mark Williams (back), and Kyle Lowry (not with team) remain ‘Out’ for Wednesday night. Frank Ntilikina (hip) and Cody Martin (knee) are ‘Questionable’; they’ve both missed the last two games after being listed as ‘Questionable’.
And the big news for the Hornets is that Gordon Hayward has been upgraded to ‘Questionable’ and should be a game-time decision. With this game taking place on the eve of the trade deadline, it would be great if Gordon could show that he is healthy and go out and show contending teams what he could do for them.
Raptors Injury Report
The Raptors injury report is mostly clean. Gary Trent Jr. (back) and Jontay Porter (back) are both listed as ‘Questionable’. Trent Jr. Porter left the Raptors’ January 30th game with back spasms and has missed the ensuing three games. Trent Jr. played in the recent back-to-back but exited Monday’s game with back spasms and didn’t return.