The Charlotte Hornets enter Friday’s NBA Cup Play matchup against the Boston Celtics still searching for a win after dropping their last five games. The Hornets face a tough test at home in the Spectrum Center, where they will be without Kon Knueppel, who left Wednesday’s season debut early due to left hamstring discomfort after just six minutes on the court against the Brooklyn Nets.
Adding to Charlotte’s challenges, starting center Moussa Diabate and backup point guard Dennis Schroder are listed as questionable for the game. The Celtics, meanwhile, will be missing Devin Carter, with former Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard also listed as questionable for the contest set to tip off at 7:00 p.m. EST.
Boston arrives in Charlotte having won six of their last seven meetings against the Hornets, a streak that adds pressure on the home side. The Celtics project to start Derrick White and Hugo Gonzalez in the backcourt, with Paul George and Jayson Tatum on the wings and Neemias Queta at center. Charlotte’s expected starting lineup includes guards Coby White and Sion James, forwards Brandon Miller and Naz Reid, and Diabate if he passes the questionable tag.
The Hornets’ five-game losing streak extends their search for consistency this season. The injury to Knueppel, who took part in only a brief cameo on Wednesday, complicates their rotation and may force adjustments to their offensive and defensive schemes. Diabate’s status remains uncertain, and Schroder’s availability could impact the Hornets’ ball movement and experience on the court.
The Celtics’ absence of Carter is notable, but they retain a strong core led by Tatum and George, both of whom have consistently been top contributors. Pritchard’s questionable status is a development to watch, given his ability to provide scoring and playmaking off the bench.
The game will be available on NBA League Pass, NBC Sports Boston, WSOC Channel 9 in Charlotte, and on DAZN internationally. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if Charlotte can halt their slide and how Boston responds to the absence of Carter.
This will be the Hornets’ second game of the NBA Cup Play, a midseason tournament designed to add stakes to regular-season games. With their current form and injury concerns, the Hornets face an uphill climb but will look to use the home crowd advantage to break their losing streak.
The latest injury updates and starting lineups will be confirmed closer to tip-off, as both teams manage player fitness in what promises to be a competitive Eastern Conference contest.
According to Yahoo Sports.
