Some people believe there are no moral victories in the NBA. However, the Charlotte Hornets have had no choice but to look for those kinds of wins after dealing with a laundry list of injuries for most of the 2024-25 season.
Perhaps the most notable absence has been LaMelo Ball, as the point guard has been the primary source of Charlotte's offense. Without the aspiring two-time All-Star, the team has scored significantly less, with its average points dipping from 108.2 to 102.4 points per game when he is sidelined.
Still, it's not like the Hornets were world-beaters when Ball was healthy earlier in the regular season. They may have gone 1-6 so far without their best player, but even when he was on the court, they had twice as many losses as wins (6-12).
The absence of several key players has just proven too much for the squad. So, does that mean that, at full strength, it can contend with the best of the Eastern Conference? We can't know for sure. What's certain, though, is that the lack of healthy bodies has prevented the Hornets from having a chance.
Aside from Ball, Mark Williams' prolonged stint on the sidelines has been tough to overcome for the Hive.
Hornets big man is getting comfortable by the day
One of the reasons plenty of optimism abounded in Charlotte was the potential of the trio of Ball, Williams, and Brandon Miller breaking out in their second year together. That was despite the first two having more DNPs than appearances in the previous two campaigns.
Unfortunately, a bad omen manifested itself in the offseason when Williams sustained an injury right before training camp. Per the announcement then, the strained tendon in his left foot would keep him out for at least two weeks. However, as time passed, it started to become more and more unclear when the third-year center was healthy enough to make it back to the lineup.
As it turned out, he had to miss the Hornets' first 20 games. To make matters worse, his return coincided with Ball's time on the sidelines.
Perhaps a silver lining for the franchise is that when the star point guard makes a comeback, Williams will already be completely recovered and have caught up to speed. That might turn out to be the case because the 22-year-old big man admitted on Friday that he "definitely felt good" and is "getting more and more comfortable." Of course, he still has a lot to work on, but that will come with time.
It's worth pointing out that Williams put up the best performance of his season on Friday against the Chicago Bulls. His club may have lost, but on the bright side, he registered season-highs of 15 points and nine rebounds in his first start of the 2024-25 campaign.
The former Duke University standout's production and statement should give Charlotte fans hope that better days are coming for the team following its struggles in recent weeks.