Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Nicolas Batum has suffered a torn UCL in his left elbow, likely sidelining him for the remainder of the season, according to Spencer Percy of Queen City Hoops. In an updated diagnosis, the dynamic all-around player is expected to miss 8-to-12 weeks with the injury, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical.

Batum injured his elbow in Wednesday's preseason opening 108-106 win over the Detroit Pistons, making this an unfortunate loss for a team that was hoping to be on the rise after the addition of Dwight Howard in the offseason. The UCL is the same ligament a baseball pitcher has damaged when a Tommy John surgery is required, qualifying as a rather freak-injury in the sport of basketball.

While the French international holds a unique value to the team as a jack of all trades at the small forward position, this could prove to be a key opportunity for rookie Malik Monk, who led all scorers with 19 points on Wednesday's outing.

Article Continues Below
More Charlotte Hornets News
image thumbnail
Kon Knueppel turns heads with shocking NBA draft testing resultsErik Slater ·
Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper (2) goes up for a basket Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in a first round game at the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament between the USC Trojans and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The USC Trojans defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 97-89.
Hornets rumors: ESPN NBA Mock Draft creates LaMelo Ball-Dylan Harper backcourtZachary Howell ·
Mystery player in the middle, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller around him, Blue lightning in the background
Charlotte Hornets’ perfect outcome for No. 4 pick in 2025 NBA DraftEnzo Flojo ·
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Hornets jersey shrugging on the left. Have Miles Bridges in Clippers jersey on the right
What if Hornets didn’t trade Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Miles Bridges?Jerry Donatien ·
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) and forward Brandon Miller (24) at mid court against the Miami Heat during the second half at Spectrum Center.
RUMOR: Insider speculates on bombshell Hornets trades to build around LaMelo BallAlex House ·
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) brings the ball up court against the New York Knicks during the second half at Spectrum Center.
Hornets rumors: The ‘favorite’ at No. 4 to be next LaMelo Ball co-starJoey Mistretta ·

Monk can play at his natural shooting guard spot while Michael Kidd-Gilchrist plays at his usual small forward from here on forward, though it will prove a tall task for the rookie, who only played a year at Kentucky under John Calipari.

Batum played only 49 seconds of the game, quickly being taken out and replaced by Jeremy Lamb after a Howard intentional foul.

The 28-year-old posted a career-high 15.1 points per game last season along with 6.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game for the hive. His all-around presence will be felt on the court, leaving head coach Steve Clifford with a very difficult decision to make ahead of the regular season.