Taj

Gibson

Nurkic’s availability is of greater importance to fantasy basketball, as he will likely be Mark Williams’ backup. If so, Moussa Diabate’s playing time will decrease if he remains in the rotation. As for Gibson, he isn’t a lock to see action.

Both bigs are expected to be available for Charlotte against Minnesota, but with Mark Williams available, neither will play a significant role. Nurkic played 15 minutes off the bench on Monday and is more likely to fill the primary reserve center role than Gibson, though Moussa Diabate will be in the conversation as well.

Gibson was a late addition to Monday’s injury report, so his absence isn’t too surprising. Charlotte’s frontcourt rotation is at full strength, so Gibson’s status does not affect fantasy basketball.

Gibson is a late addition to the injury report, but with Mark Williams, Moussa Diabate and Jusuf Nurkic all healthy, Gibson won’t be part of the team’s rotation either way.

Diabate aggravated the right eye abrasion Monday in the midst of a stellar performance, and he’s got a shot to return on Wednesday. If he’s not available, Tidjane Salaun, Taj Gibson and Jusuf Nurkic could pick up some extra playing time. It’s unclear when Williams will return, as Charlotte is still looking into his failed trade to the Lakers.

On track to have one of the best games of his NBA career, Diabate had to exit Monday’s game due to the right eye abrasion suffered during Sunday’s loss to the Pistons. In 27 minutes, he accounted for 21 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocked shots. Tidjane Salaun replaced Diabate as part of a smaller lineup, and Taj Gibson is also available to absorb some of the minutes that would have gone to the third-year center.

Diabate was inadvertently hit in the face by Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart during the first half of Sunday’s game. He needed assistance walking back to the locker room and appeared unlikely to return. He’s officially doubtful, with Tidjane Salaun starting the third quarter. Taj Gibson will also play more minutes during the second half.

Williams is available after missing two games for right foot injury management. He’ll resume his duties as Charlotte’s starting center, meaning Taj Gibson will drop out of the rotation. Moussa Diabate will remain the backup, but he plays far fewer minutes when Williams is available.

Diabate can be effective when placed in a position where he can play more minutes, as on Friday. With Mark Williams (foot) out, Diabate played 32 minutes despite serving as Taj Gibson’s backup. Playing against the franchise that selected him 43rd overall in the 2022 draft, Moussa recorded his third double-double of the season and three steals. Gibson only played 16 minutes, finishing with four points, seven rebounds, and one blocked shot. While the Hornets will take a conservative approach with Williams for the rest of the season, that doesn’t guarantee much for Diabate. He remains on a two-way contract and has played 38 games (two-way players can be active for a max of 50). The Hornets currently have 15 players on standard contracts, so something will have to change for Diabate soon.

Williams will miss a second straight game because the Hornets want to manage his right foot injury. Taj Gibson should remain in the starting lineup, where he can provide rebounds. However, Moussa Diabate will likely play more minutes, making him the superior streaming option.