The Charlotte Hornets have lengthy been a franchise wandering within the wilderness, determined for even only a glimpse of the Promised Land. They haven’t received 50 video games within the state of North Carolina since Tim Duncan’s rookie yr, the 1997-1998 season and have completed above .500 simply 4 occasions since a franchise returned to the state in 2004. Below new majority possession since final season after Michael Jordan bought his majority stake within the membership, there’s not a complete lot to say concerning the roster outdoors of LaMelo Ball. Ball, a quantity scorer with the inexperienced gentle on a nasty crew, has handled accidents the final 2 seasons and is damage as soon as once more, an ankle concern that’s stored him out since January twenty seventh.
With Ball on the court docket, this might have been a traditional lure recreation state of affairs for the Spurs, as he’s the kind of participant that may get on a roll out of the blue. With him out and the addition of De’Aaron Fox to the roster, dropping this recreation could be a catastrophe for San Antonio. February is gentle on powerful video games for the Spurs and in the event that they wish to make a push for a spot within the Play-In, they will’t afford to drop video games like tonight’s. There was as soon as a time the place this franchise was famend for with the ability to, “handle enterprise,” towards struggling ball golf equipment. With the addition of Fox to the roster, there’s an opportunity that outdated norm could make a return.
San Antonio Spurs (22-26) at Charlotte Hornets (12-36)
February 7 2025 | 6:00 PM CT
Watch: FDSS | Pay attention: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Charles Bassey, MCL sprain (everyday)
Hornets Accidents: LaMelo Ball, ankle (OUT), Cody Martin, core (everyday), Vasilije Micic, ankle (everyday), Josh Okogie, hamstring (OUT), Brandon Miller, Grant Williams, and Tre Mann, OUT for the season
What to look at for
The trio of Fox, Victor Wembanyama, and Devin Vassell mixed for 64 of San Antonio’s 126 factors within the win at Atlanta. Whereas your entire crew will profit from what Fox brings to the desk, nobody might profit greater than Vassell, who has struggled at occasions this season with being a constant #2 possibility for San Antonio. Fox can assault the paint off the dribble in ways in which nobody on the roster actually can, which has the good thing about bending a protection and creating openings for each himself and others. Tasked with a lot much less of the creation aspect of issues, Vassell may actually flourish taking part in alongside Fox.
Stephon Fort didn’t refill the stat sheet towards Atlanta, however he seemed extra snug coming off the bench than he had at every other level this season. Fort, a contender for Rookie of the 12 months, has began 29 of San Antonio’s 48 video games this season and has proven quite a lot of thrives of his potential, however has struggled when coming off the bench. In opposition to Atlanta he solely performed 20 minutes, however he was in a position to keep aggressive and profit from his time, attending to the free throw line a number of occasions and throwing down a vicious dunk that was one more teaser forward of his participation on this season’s Dunk Contest. With Tre Jones gone Fort is the only real backup level guard and towards Atlanta, he performed like he understood that.
Fox performed 37 minutes in his debut towards the Hawks, according to what he was taking part in this season in Sacramento greater than every other participant on the roster. Ought to this proceed now that he’s in San Antonio, he would lead the Spurs in MPG by about 4 minutes (Victor’s 33 MPG is 1st amongst gamers which have been there all season).
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