File photo
Hornets
Brandon Miller returned Saturday after missing four weeks with a partially dislocated left shoulder and finished with 21 points and three assists in a loss to the Clippers.
As Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer noted, Miller’s return was a welcome sight for a team that has seen injuries sideline him for all but thirty games since his standout rookie season.
Miller logged a little over 25 minutes as head coach Charles Lee plans to reintegrate him slowly, especially with a back-to-back and four games in seven days ahead.
“Your first game back, I’m not going to try to push him to the brink,” Lee said. “We want to be intentional with how we ramp him back up.
“How’s he responding? What’s the plan? It’s a little different coming back from a non–lower extremity injury.”
Miller delivered an early spark, scoring Charlotte’s first eight points, including a dunk that sent the crowd up. He shot 8-of-18 overall but just 2-of-10 from deep.
“We’re all excited for Brandon to be back,” Lee added. “He came in every day locked in during rehab. Going through that process again ultimately made him stronger.”
Magic
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley left Saturday’s game at halftime due to illness but was able to speak with reporters afterward, per Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel.
Mosley said he felt light-headed and dizzy during the game and called the episode “scary.” He expects to coach Sunday in Boston, per ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.
Paolo Banchero will miss his sixth straight game with a left groin strain. The team hasn’t decided whether Jalen Suggs will play on the second night of the back-to-back.
Knicks
Knicks guard Landry Shamet exited early Saturday after his right shoulder appeared to pop out on a screen from Magic center Wendell Carter Jr., Stefan Bondy of The New York Post relayed.
It’s the same shoulder Shamet dislocated in the 2024 preseason, which sidelined him until late December.
Shamet will undergo further evaluation in the coming days. His $2.3 million contract is non-guaranteed until January 10, and this setback could complicate his season.
Shamet has been a key rotation piece, averaging 9.9 points on 45 percent shooting and 42 percent from deep.
He had started six games, including three straight, and recently posted a 36-point performance in a win over Miami.
Rookie Mohamed Diawara saw early minutes after Shamet went down, while Tyler Kolek and Pacome Dadiet joined the mix in the first half.
All three could see expanded roles depending on the severity of the injury.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!