The Charlotte Hornets continue to compete to maximize their positioning in the Eastern Conference standings as the start of the NBA playoffs approach.
With a 40-37 record, the team currently ranks ninth despite holding the same record as the eighth-ranked Brooklyn Nets due to not having the tiebreaker. With upcoming games against Eastern Conference contenders like the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat, the Hornets need to be at their best.
There is help on the way for the Hornets as Gordon Hayward has progressed in his recovery from a sprained left ankle that has kept him sidelined since his last appearance on Feb. 7 in the team’s 116-101 loss to the Toronto Raptors.
According to Roderick Boone of Charlotte Observer, Hayward will return to the Hornets’ lineup for Saturday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers after recovering from a sprained left ankle.
“Hayward is officially listed as probable for Saturday’s matinee against Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Center and will be available after missing the last 22 games with a sprained left ankle.”
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In 48 appearances, Hayward is averaging 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 39.0 percent from beyond the arc. His numbers are down from some of his top seasons in his NBA career, but he remains an integral part of the Hornets’ success.
This season, the Hornets have benefited from having Hayward’s two-way impact in the lineup and have gone 11-13 in the 24 games they’ve played without him.
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The Charlotte Hornets will need all of the help they can get to make it through the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference. The veteran impact of Gordon Hayward on the wing will undoubtedly be a critical factor in their ability to achieve success.
