The Charlotte Hornets’ two-game upswing ended abruptly Monday night with a double-digit loss to the Brooklyn Nets, a club that started the evening 3-16. The defeat dropped Charlotte to 6-15 and prompted pointed comments from players and observers alike.
Hornets
Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer labeled the result “another low point.” Rookie scorer Kon Knueppel called the performance “unacceptable and really disappointing,” while veteran guard Collin Sexton said repeated mistakes are sabotaging the team.
“We can’t expect teams to lay down for us,” Sexton said. “We’ve got to fight a full 48. If you don’t take the wins, nobody’s going to give them to you.” He added that the 6-15 mark leaves no room for complacency after a pair of weekend victories over the Bulls and Raptors.
Nuggets
Denver avoided a worst-case scenario with Jamal Murray, who sprained his right ankle Monday against Dallas. According to Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette, the guard is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game in Indiana, suggesting he may not miss time.
The Nuggets remain short-handed elsewhere. Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon are still out, and rookie wing Julian Strawther is expected to sit for a ninth consecutive contest because of a back issue. Interim head coach David Adelman said Strawther is limited to “minimal movement” with no basketball activity or contact so far.
Jazz
Utah center Walker Kessler, out for the season following shoulder surgery, continues to attend practices and film sessions while he rehabs. Head coach Will Hardy told reporters that Kessler is not yet traveling with the team but will do so once his recovery stabilizes.
“Rehab can be very isolating,” Hardy noted. “I want Walker around the team.”
Source: Hoops Wire
