The 2023-24 NBA season is still in its infancy stages, but the Charlotte Hornets are going to be without another key player for some time. Already without forward Miles Bridges as he serves his suspension, Charlotte will now have to figure out how to overcome the loss of starting shooting guard, Terry Rozier.
The team announced on Tuesday that Rozier is dealing with a groin strain and will be sidelined for at least the next two games. An MRI that he underwent confirmed that Rozier has a left adductor strain.
He sat out the team’s game against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, a 124-118 loss. He is set to miss at least the home-and-home with the Washington Wizards that starts on Wednesday in Charlotte. After that, the team will travel to Washington for an in-season tournament game. Over the weekend, they will be heading on the road to face off against the New York Knicks.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets Updates
Rozier suffered his injury in the fourth quarter of Saturday night’s victory over the Indiana Pacers. Before exiting the game, he scored 22 points on an efficient 7-of-14 from the field, 3-of-5 from 3-point range and knocking down all five of his free throws. He added six rebounds, three assists and one block to round out his stat line in the 125-124 win.
On the season, the veteran combo guard is averaging 22 points, five assists and four rebounds. He is an integral part of the Hornets’ rotation, starting alongside LaMelo Ball in the team’s backcourt.
Without Rozier, head coach Steve Clifford opted to insert rookie Brandon Miller into the starting lineup. That provided the Hornets with a lot of size, as Miller is a frontcourt player standing 6’9”. His impact defensively is likely what led to the decision by Clifford as he needed to replace what Rozier brings on that side of the court as the team’s best perimeter defender.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets Updates
Off the bench, it was Bryce McGowens inserted into the lineup for 10 minutes of action. Veteran Ish Smith also received his first run of the season but played only three minutes. It will be interesting to see if Clifford sticks to the same rotation for as long as Rozier is sidelined or if more adjustments are made.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
