Charlotte, NC — Brandon Miller scored 21 points with three assists in his first appearance since a partially dislocated left shoulder sidelined him for four weeks. The second-year forward logged a little more than 25 minutes Saturday afternoon as the Charlotte Hornets fell to the Los Angeles Clippers, 113-98, dropping to 4-12.
Head coach Charles Lee said Miller will be “ramped up” gradually, noting the back-to-back that continues Sunday in Atlanta and a stretch of four games in seven days. “Your first game back, I’m not going to push him to the brink,” Lee explained. Miller opened the contest with the Hornets’ first eight points, including a dunk that energized the Spectrum Center crowd, and finished 8-for-18 from the field but just 2-for-10 from beyond the arc.
More Hornets Injury News
Lee briefly had his preferred starting five together for the first time since the season’s second game, but that luck faded quickly. Starting center Ryan Kalkbrenner exited with left ankle soreness, and reserve wing Pat Connaughton left with right calf soreness; both were ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Bagley Takes Leadership Role in Washington
Marvin Bagley III, now 26, has emerged as a veteran voice on the youthful Washington Wizards roster. During a team meeting last weekend, the forward described his own early-career challenges and urged teammates not to accept losing as normal. “I was in a tough spot as a young player—18 years old coming in—and I didn’t really have the older vets to guide me,” Bagley said. “It kind of felt like I had to figure things out on the run.”
Mosley Recovers After In-Game Illness
Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley conducted his post-game media session after missing the second half of Saturday’s matchup because of light-headedness and dizziness. Calling the episode “scary,” Mosley said he expects to coach Sunday in Boston. The team will again be without Paolo Banchero, who will miss a sixth consecutive game due to a left groin strain. A decision on Jalen Suggs’ status for the second night of the back-to-back remains pending.
Source: Hoops Rumors
