Hornets Head Coach Charles Lee detailed Moussa Diabaté’s rapid growth into a versatile defensive anchor capable of guarding multiple positions. Lee also emphasized the team's depth and his "gut-feeling" approach to player rotations as the Hornets prepare for their final game of 2025. By DIAMOND VENCES| ROD BOONE
Smiling and leaning against the wall just outside the Charlotte Hornets locker room, Kon Knueppel was as ready as anyone to hit the court, just five days after going down with a sprained right ankle.
Indeed, the Hornets had their rookie sensation back.
“Yeah, the fountain of youth is a real thing,” coach Charles Lee said. “So, you know, being young, I think his body’s able to bounce back a little bit quicker. But then also his mindset, you walk past the training room and he’s in there doing everything he possibly can to come back as soon as he possibly can, too.
“So it’s a mindset, it’s his approach to attacking his rehab plan and return to play plan.”
Knueppel’s presence couldn’t push the Hornets past the visitors and Charlotte’s prodigal son on New Year’s Eve, though. Although the Hornets kept Davidson product Steph Curry from a lights-out performance, they couldn’t keep pace with Golden State in the fourth quarter and succumbed, 132-125, in front of a record crowd of 19,685 — the largest ever for a Hornets’ game at Spectrum Center.
Here are some key takeaways from the Hornets’ second straight loss:
Jimmy Butler III (10) of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket against Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of the game at Spectrum Center. Jared C. Tilton Getty Images
No Tre Day
Looking at the box score, particularly while scanning the stats of the reserves, one thing is distinguishable: There were only two players Lee didn’t use, and one name seemed a bit surprising.
Tre Mann registered a Coach’s-DNP for the first time this season, Mann hasn’t found the same form that had him as an early leading candidate for sixth man of the year in 2024-25 before a back injury in November derailed him for the bulk of the season.
His numbers — and minutes — have taken a major dip in his precious five games and he’s gone scoreless in his last two appearances.
“Tre has definitely had a little bit …. he’s had an interesting role,” Lee said. “And so I actually applaud him because there’s been games where we’ve had him start, there’s games that we’ve had him coming off the bench. There’s games where he’s the backup point guard. And so for him, it’s been a lot of change. And so it’s been tough for him to find a rhythm. But I applaud him because I feel like the competitiveness and the mindset to come to work every day and compete every day in a game.
Brandon Miller of the Charlotte Hornets reacts with teammate LaMelo Ball #1 during the first half of the game against the Golden State Warriors at Spectrum Center. Jared C. Tilton Getty Images
“I see him fighting through, trying to defensively have an impact. Offensively, again, some games he’s handling a little bit more. Some games he’s got to play off the ball and play versus closeouts. So, it’s just been a ton of change for him. And so it’s one of those things where I think he’s continuing to just try to find his rhythm, and I have to help him with that, No. 1 try to simplify some things. But I love kind of his mindset and his approach of what he’s doing every day. And I know that at the right time, he’s going to come right for us.”
Trainer’s room is busy
It’s not a stretch to say the Hornets are a bit thin on their frontline and that won’t change much for a while given the situation with one of their reserve centers.
Mason Plumlee underwent surgery on Monday to address an injury to his right groin and is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks when he’ll be re-evaluated. The Hornets say the veteran is expected to make a full recovery.
Ryan Kalkbrenner also missed his fifth straight game, leaving the Hornets shorthanded since Miles Bridges couldn’t go after spraining his right ankle in Monday’s loss to Milwaukee. So, where do things currently stand?
Lee addressed the litany of ailments with his big men.
“Although Ryan has been doing light on court work coming in every day and just being evaluated from how he’s able to respond from that light on court work, no major update there right now,” Lee said. “Miles was able to come in (Saturday) morning and do an evaluation on court. I think that he is making progress from the injury … and then we’ll kind of just re-evaluate him (Thursday) before we fly to Milwaukee and see kind of where he is.
“Mason, we will miss his presence as he recovers from surgery, but I know he’ll rejoin the group soon.”