Brandon Miller’s Glute Blues: A Hornets Saga
Alright, hoop heads, here’s the scoop: Charlotte’s young gun, Brandon Miller, is sidelined for a bit. Yeah, you read that right. The Hornets’ second-year forward tweaked his left glute and will be chilling on the bench for at least a week. Just when we thought he was ready to take flight, he’s grounded.
Missing Miller: What’s Next for the Hornets?
So, here’s the deal. Before their narrow 125-120 loss to Atlanta, the Hornets announced that Miller would be out of action for a week. This means he’ll be missing some key matchups, including games against the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors. Fingers crossed, he might be back in time to face off against the Boston Celtics next Friday. But let’s be real, the Hornets are going to feel his absence. I mean, Miller was their No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft for a reason, right?
INJURY UPDATE: @hornets guard Brandon Miller left Wednesday’s game at HOU with a L Glute Strain. He is listed as OUT tonight in ATL and will be reevaluated in a week
— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR)
Rookie Records and Rising Stars
Miller’s rookie season was no joke. He finished third in the NBA Rookie of the Year voting, dropping an average of 17.3 points per game. And get this, he became the third-fastest Hornets rookie to hit 1,000 career points, trailing only legends like Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson. Remember that game against the Cavs where he nailed seven threes? Talk about a splash party!
In my opinion, Miller’s got the potential to be a franchise cornerstone. But without him, the Hornets are going to have to rely on guys like Tre Mann, Cody Martin, and Seth Curry to step up. Can they fill those shoes? Only time will tell.
Charlotte’s Injury Woes Continue
It’s not just Miller who’s out. The Hornets are also dealing with the absence of their starting center, Mark Williams, who’s nursing a strained tendon in his foot. And let’s not forget LaMelo Ball’s ankle issues from the past two seasons. The guy’s played just 58 out of 164 games. But hey, he did drop 34 points on Houston, so maybe he’s back with a vengeance. Or maybe not… who knows?
First-year coach Charles Lee is calling for a “total team effort” to keep the ship afloat. And honestly, with all these injuries, they’re gonna need it. Speaking of trades, did you catch that wild Curry rumor? Just saying!
So, what do you think, folks? Will the Hornets manage to stay competitive without Miller, or are they in for a rough ride? Let me know your thoughts!
