The Charlotte Hornets are facing serious injury issues ahead of the start of their first season without LaMelo Ball since 2020.
Hornets head coach Charles Lee provided updates to the injuries of their main guards, Kon Knueppel and Coby White before their upcoming season opener against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.
"I think that there is still no timeline on those guys," Lee revealed to media. "They're making really good progress, I think day by day they've kind of stepped up what they've been able to do on the court, adding some level of contact to their workouts as well."
Knueppel and White's injuries
Coby White
Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix
On September 25, the Hornets announced that Knueppel suffered a left hamstring injury during an offseason on-court workout and will miss the entire preseason. It was said that he is set to be re-evaluated during the first week of the regular season.
The unfortunate injury comes after last season the former Duke standout led the entire league in 3-pointers made with 273 while averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists across 81 games. He also shot an impressive 42.5 percent from beyond the arc.
On October 5, the Hornets revealed that White suffered a left calf strain during training camp activities which is what led to his absence for the preseason games.
The guard, who is set for a bigger role after Ball left, misses time after returning to Charlotte as a free agent on a three-year, $74 million deal.