Hornets Update on PJ Washington's Status

Washington (foot) is expected to play Sunday against Brooklyn after missing four straight games with a foot injury. His minutes will be monitored in his first game back, but he should return to a regular workload after that.

PJ Washington hasn't played as much this season as he did at the start, but he remains an excellent fantasy option for Charlotte. However, it should be noted that Miles Bridges and Mason Plumlee's rise have taken its toll on his minutes.

He’s doubtful for Saturday’s game against Miami

Saturday afternoon, the Charlotte Hornets will have to do without PJ Washington as the power forward is listed as doubtful for this game against Miami. It's a major setback as PJ had been expected back into the starting lineup after missing four straight games due to a foot injury.

Washington had been an integral part of the Hornets' winning streak before suffering an injury. His average stats included 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 27.2 FanDuel points across 32.2 minutes in three of their previous four games.

That being said, he hasn't exactly been a top-tier streaming option this season. That being said, he still deserves to be included on your fantasy roster for this matchup. His averages of 10.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists over 26.5 minutes this year have him ranked within the top 300 for 9-cat per-game value.

As of Friday's practice, the team is uncertain when Washington will return. They plan to transport him to Los Angeles for a specialist appointment on Monday so that Washington may gain more insight into the timeline for his recovery.

JT Thor and Kelly Oubre Jr are expected to see plenty of playing time regardless of his status, so both players should see significant minutes against the Heat. As such, these players could be worth using as streamers in leagues that don't run season-long.

We must keep an eye on Rozier, who was unable to practice Wednesday and is listed as doubtful for this game against the Los Angeles Clippers. He's had several injuries throughout his career but this one appears to be serious.

The Hornets must contend with the absence of Cody Martin (quadriceps) and Gordon Hayward (hamstring). That will free up a lot of playing time for Theo Maledon, Dennis Smith Jr. and James Bouknight; Rozier and Ball also hope to see an uptick in production from these players as well.

On the plus side, Ball is set to make his first regular-season appearance against Miami Heat and hope to build off his impressive performance against Sacramento last time out. Plus, he'll get to team up with Jalen McDaniels who should have an important role to play.

It's essential to note that the Hornets are playing without much depth up front, with LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Terry Rozier (hip) out for the foreseeable future. This leaves plenty of chances for others in the lineup to see an uptick in production - particularly Theo Maledon who had 12 points, seven rebounds, and a steal in 26 minutes against Sacramento Kings.

He’s ruled out for Monday’s game against Detroit

Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer reports that PJ Washington suffered a fractured fifth finger during Saturday's victory against Chicago, according to Rick Bonnell's report. As a result, he will miss Monday's game against Detroit.

With Washington sidelined, the Hornets frontcourt will be comprised of LaMelo Ball (ankle), Kelly Oubre Jr., P.J. Washington and Terry Rozier.

If the Hornets want to make any progress with their frontcourt, they need some key players healthy and back on the court. It remains uncertain when LaMelo Ball will return, but if not soon, major changes could be made in Charlotte Hornets' rotation.

If Ball is out, Theo Maledon could benefit from more playing time; however, how significant this will be remains uncertain. He had a team-high 11 points, eight assists and three steals against Boston on Monday but it's difficult to accurately project his fantasy value with the ball in his hands.

He's likely to start, but the Hornets' frontcourt may be weaker without him. JT Thor could get some additional minutes as well, though he may not be as reliable a streaming option as Maledon with Ball out.

Nick Richards would likely remain the backup center, assuming Mason Plumlee is unable to play Friday against Los Angeles. The 25-year-old has done an outstanding job filling in for Plumlee while missing just nine points and six rebounds per game in 18.9 minutes this season.

However, it's worth noting that Mason Plumlee is expected to sit out Tuesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies after suffering a left foot sprain during Monday's preseason contest against Washington Wizards. If he cannot suit up, Mark Williams and Kai Jones will have to step in.

No easy task, but they must be ready to succeed. This kind of challenge helps build true team cohesion and is something the Hornets must overcome if they want any chance at having an impressive season.

The Hornets must find a way to maximize Ball and Rozier, while also finding help at the guard position. Without that, they could potentially miss the playoffs entirely.

It's essential to remember that he hasn't missed a game since returning from his four-game injury absence on November 23rd, so it isn't impossible for him to make the starting lineup again if he stays healthy. While he can make an impact in the short term, it may not be enough production for sustained success over time.

Fantasy players with deep leagues should consider Theo Maledon as a viable option, particularly if Ball is expected to miss Sunday's game. He has averaged 15.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks over his last seven contests.

He’s ruled out for Saturday’s game against Miami

Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports that Washington has officially been declared out for Saturday's game against the Miami Heat, though it's uncertain if this is a permanent ban or just an inconvenience while dealing with his foot injury. Regardless, it's worth keeping tabs on his status moving forward.

Impact Washington has been a cornerstone of their recent success, scoring 27 points (11-19 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, five assists and one steal across 36 minutes in Sunday's 122-117 win against Miami. He also recorded impressive defensive statistics as he finished with nine points (4-12 FG, 0-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four steals and two blocks in 33 minutes against the Suns on Tuesday.

Washington has scored a combined 38 points (14-33 FG, 8-10 FT), grabbed seven rebounds and distributed three assists in his last two games against the Heat. On average he's averaging 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists on 53.3 percent shooting over those six contests.

If Rozier does indeed miss Saturday's game, Theo Maledon should take his place as the backup point guard and is an excellent streaming option for DFS managers searching for a point guard. Jalen McDaniels may also see increased usage if no Rozier is present on your roster.

On Wednesday night, the Hornets still managed to come from behind and defeat the Warriors despite missing Washington. Although Cody Martin (quad) had to leave early in the first quarter due to injury, P.J. Washington and Kelly Oubre Jr. both saw significant playing time and will remain important components for their offense going forward.

Smith is likely not in the lineup, but James Bouknight and Theo Maledon could provide extra value as they both carry questionable tags heading into this matchup. That gives fantasy managers a chance to utilize them in deep, high-scoring setups.

The Hornets will be without LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward, but that won't stop them from being a threat on offense. With these two players combined, the team is allowing just 94.6 points per 100 possessions - an NBA-low and second lowest this season.

Furthermore, the Hornets have been averaging 91.6 points in the paint with these two on the court. If they can maintain this offensive production, it could prove a huge blow to their playoff chances.

The Hornets have won four straight games despite being limited by injuries this season, and that's an encouraging sign. Unfortunately, it may not be enough for them to sustain such success long-term. That is why it may be wise for the Hornets to consider trading some cap space at this stage since they don't have many extra options left at their disposal.