UPDATE: Thomas Bryant's Status For Nuggets-Hornets Game

Thomas Bryant is available for Saturday's game.

UPDATE: Bryant may not end up playing, but is available (via Katy Winge of AltitudeTV). 

Coach Malone said even though Thomas Bryant is available, he may not play tonight because of his schedule today. He landed in Charlotte a little after 3pmET, went and dropped off his bags at the hotel and was on the first bus to the arena.

— Katy Winge (@katywinge) February 11, 2023

On Saturday night, the Denver Nuggets will be in North Carolina to face off with the Charlotte Hornets.   

For the game, they will have their new center in action, as Thomas Bryant has been upgraded to available. 

The former Indiana Hoosier was traded to the Nuggets (from the Los Angeles Lakers) earlier this week. 

Underdog NBA: "Status alert: Thomas Bryant available to make Nuggets debut Saturday."

Status alert: Thomas Bryant available to make Nuggets debut Saturday.

— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) February 11, 2023

Bryant is in the middle of his sixth season in the NBA and has also played for the Washington Wizards (in addition to two stints with the Lakers). 

Right now, he is averaging 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest while shooting 65.4% from the field and 44.0% from the three-point range. 

The Nuggets already have the best center in the league (two-time MVP Nikola Jokic), but they now have a great backup in Bryant. 

Through 56 games, the Nuggets are 38-18, which has them as the first seed in the Western Conference. 

That said, they are only 5-5 in their last ten games and 12-14 in the 26 games they have played on the road outside of Denver.

Meanwhile, the Hornets are tied for the 15th seed in the Eastern Conference (last place) and have a 15-42 record in 57 games.

They are in the middle of a six-game winning streak and 2-8 in their last ten games.

After making the play-in tournament last year, they have dealt with injuries this season.

At home, the Hornets have gone 7-17 in the 24 games they have hosted in Charlotte.