It has been a very trying season for the Charlotte Hornets. With an 8-30 record, the Hornets are in the midst of a six-game losing streak and have lost 17 of their last 18 games, a stretch which began back on December 11th. While Charlotte has not been the recipient of good luck often this season, their fortunes may have changed for the better when it comes to Friday night's matchup with the San Antonio Spurs.
The number one overall selection in the 2023 NBA Draft, Victor Wembanyama, will not play Friday in Charlotte, giving the Hornets a chance to win their second game in over a month. Wembanayma has not been cleared to play in back-to-back games, and the Spurs apparently prefer to have him available for Saturday's contest in Washington rather than play in Charlotte.
Victor just confirmed he will sit in Charlotte on Friday, play Saturday in Washington. https://t.co/QNV9LbEFNz
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) January 18, 2024
With San Antonio playing on Wednesday, the Spurs appear to be prioritizing having two days of rest for their game against the Wizards rather than playing a second game in a three-night span in Charlotte. This is something the Hornets need to find a way to take advantage of and come away with a win, even though that is much easier said than done.
Charlotte lost by nearly 40 points just a few days ago in San Antonio in a game that saw them see Brandon Miller leave with an injury, and he has not returned to action since. Removing Wembanayama from San Antonio's equation may help Charlotte's effort to at least make the game more competitive, but the potential absence of Miller for the Hornets may negate any advantage they may have had.
It is not impossible for the Hornets to win on Friday and inch closer to double-digit wins, but at the same time it would not come as a surprise to see them lose yet again despite having the best player on their roster, LaMelo Ball, back in the fold.