The Charlotte Hornets’ chances of making the playoff cut this season are getting dimmer by the day, but it got even darker following a discouraging update on Nicolas Batum’s Achilles injury. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the versatile swingman is not going to play in this Monday’s road game against the Philadelphia 76ers after MRI results of his injury were released.
MRI results revealed chronic tendinitis with left Achilles of Charlotte Hornets forward Nic Batum, league sources tell ESPN. He will miss game against Philadelphia on Monday and return will be based on how he responds to treatment.
Nicolas Batum sustained the injury during last Saturday’s 124-101 loss in the Big Apple to the New York Knicks. Batum left the game after playing 25 minutes and did not return, finishing the contest with only two points on a horrendous 1-for-7 shooting from the field with eight rebounds and a pair of assists.
At this point of the season in which the Hornets only have 12 outings left on their schedule and seven games back of the last playoffs spot in the Eastern Conference, it would be prudent for the team to take it easy with their approach to dealing with Batum’s recovery.
Batum is a productive player when healthy, but his struggle to hold his limbs and joints together has been a big issue throughout his career. Apart from this Achilles injury, Batum has also dealt with elbow ailments earlier this season.
Nicolas Batum, who was signed by the Hornets to a five-year deal worth $120 million last year, has played in 56 of Charlotte’s 70 games so far this season. In his absence, the Hornets are expected to give increased minutes to Jeremy Lamb, Dwayne Bacon, and Malik Monk.
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