Although the Charlotte Hornets have dropped five of their last seven games, their latest defeat may prove the most costly. In a hard-fought 125-119 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, forward Grant Williams suffered an apparent injury with under four minutes remaining. Driving to the basket, Williams landed awkwardly and left the game after contributing eight points on 2-of-6 shooting in 32 minutes.
Williams, acquired at February’s trade deadline in exchange for P.J. Washington, has been pivotal in reshaping the Hornets’ culture. He played 45 games, averaging 12.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting 37% from three. His impact remains vital, as injuries to Nick Richards, Mark Williams, and Miles Bridges have left Charlotte thin in the frontcourt.
Now, with Williams potentially out, the Hornets face an uphill battle. Who will step up to fill the void? Let’s examine the players who could rise to the occasion.
Tidjane Salaün
Tidjane Salaün, the sixth pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has struggled to match his preseason form. Through 14 games (two starts), he’s averaging 3.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 16.2 minutes per game. His shooting splits of 30/28/69% are a significant drop from his preseason averages of 11.8 points and 7.2 rebounds on 39/40/50% shooting in 27.9 minutes.
Preseason games often feature fringe players fighting for roster spots, creating a less intense environment in which Salaün thrived. Now facing seasoned veterans and established talent, he’s experiencing growing pains. With Williams sidelined, Salaün must step up and provide impactful minutes, even if the box score doesn’t reflect it. His energy and defense will be crucial for Charlotte’s depleted frontcourt.
Taj Gibson
Taj Gibson initially signed for his veteran leadership, may now be called upon to contribute meaningful minutes. With Richards, Williams, and Bridges all sidelined, the Hornets are critically thin in the frontcourt.
Gibson has already proven he can step up when needed. After Richards was injured on November 1 against the Boston Celtics, Gibson started two games, averaging 4.2 points and 4.2 rebounds on 63% shooting. While his production won’t fully replace Williams, his experience and steadiness can help stabilize a depleted rotation.
Moussa Diabaté
Moussa Diabaté has become a fan favorite due to his relentless work on the glass, earning a starting role in two games where he averaged an impressive 13.5 rebounds (7.0 offensive) and 2.5 steals over 32 minutes. Despite his defensive prowess, Diabaté’s offensive contributions have been minimal—scoring just one point on six shot attempts in those starts.
While his primary role is to anchor the defense and dominate the boards, Diabaté must also become a scoring threat to keep defenses honest. Playing alongside creators like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller doesn’t require him to dominate the ball, but he needs to capitalize on opportunities in the paint, as Williams did. Developing this aspect of his game will be critical for the Hornets’ success.
In Conclusion
The Charlotte Hornets find themselves at a pivotal moment. Grant Williams’ absence compounds an already depleted frontcourt, leaving the team in search of solutions. Tidjane Salaün must overcome his growing pains and provide energy and defensive consistency. Taj Gibson’s veteran experience can help stabilize the rotation, while Moussa Diabaté’s relentless effort on the boards must extend to the offensive end.
None of these players can fully replace what Grant Williams brought to the team. However, their combined efforts could help. This stretch will challenge the Hornets to stay competitive despite their injuries. Adversity often reveals a team’s true character. For the Hornets, this is a chance to showcase their depth and resilience.
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