Mog Knueppel was diagnosed with a strain of the left hamstring, according to Hornetswho announced (via Twitter), that the sharpshooting wing has been ruled out of Friday’s game against Boston. The team did not provide a timetable for Knuepel’s return.
It’s unclear whether Knueppel aggravated his previous left hamstring strain when he came out Wednesday’s game after just six minutes or when he got new strain in a similar area. Either way, it’s bad news for Charlotte, who fell to 3-6 after Wednesday’s loss in Brooklyn.
Knuppel, who finished second in Rookie of the Year voting last season, got his way Debut 2026/27 on Wednesday. The sophomore/forward missed all of training camp and the preseason, as well as the Hornets’ first eight games of the 2026/27 season, with an initial hamstring strain.
Start center Moussa Diabate (right quadriceps tendinopathy) and a veteran guard Dennis Schroeder (left hip soreness) are listed as questionable for Friday’s contest against the Celtics, according to the Hornets.
Here’s more from the Southeast Division:
- Wizards forward/center Anthony Davis questionable to play in Friday’s game at Atlanta, tweets Josh Robbins of The Athletic. Davis sprained his right ankle in Wednesday’s loss to the Hawks, Robbins explained, but managed to overcome the injury to finish with 26 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 30 minutes. The oft-injured star big man has yet to miss a game this season.
- The Hawks made significant changes to their rotation on Wednesday, writes Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (subscriber link), with a guard recruit Kingston Flemings getting his first career start instead CJ McCollum. “Being on the court was great. I like to play ball. So, at any time I can be on the court (and) influence the game. I will do itFlemings said of his first career start. Flemings, the eighth pick in this year’s draft, had 14 points (6-of-9 shooting), four assists and three rebounds in 23 minutes, while McCollum had 15 points (5-of-14 shooting), five assists, five rebounds and two steals in 25 minutes.
- In an interview with Mark Medina of Fadeaway Worldveterans wing Klay Thompson said, joining the Heat this offseason has the potential to extend his playing career. The 36-year-old scored a season-high 30 points and hit the game-winning 3-pointer in overtime on the road against the Clippers on Wednesday to help Miami improve to 3-5. “It’s been a tough start to the season. But I feel like I’m having a great time” said Thompson.The competitiveness in this organization is second to none. I feel incredible. I feel young again because of how hard they train me. I am inspired to have some great seasons ahead of me. That’s what Miami has done so far. It really revived my spirit for the game.”
