Game Preview: Charlotte Hornets vs. Denver Nuggets

Will Cody Martin return to face Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets?

INJURY REPORT:

HORNETS: Out: LaMelo Ball (ankle), Frank Ntilikina (tibia) Doubtful: Mark Williams (back) Questionable: Cody Martin (knee)

NUGGETS: Out: Vlatko Čančar (knee)

GAME PREVIEW:

Besides coming back from a 144-113 loss to the Pacers on Wednesday, the talk around the Hornets ahead of their home game against the Nuggets on Saturday is the probable return of Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Martin, who was suddenly listed as questionable on Charlotte's injury report Friday night. Martin hasn't played a game since Jan. 15 last season — he only played seven games in 2022-23 total due to the protracted situation surrounding his ongoing left knee injury.

Will tonight be the night for Martin's return? Charlotte could use the added depth since the injured LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams leave Terry Rozier, Nick Richards, et al. to take again up the slack, as they the past few games to ultimately disappointing results — the Hornets have lost their last six games. And against such a formidable, unstoppable presence as star Denver center Nikola Jokić, they and the rest of the Charlotte squad will have their work cut out for them. 

The Nuggets will have no one missing except Vlatko Čančar, absent since knee surgery. Denver starters Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon each recently missed a stretch of games due to injury — both will be available tonight. Ergo, the mismatch in starting strength is a definite fear here for Hornets fans. Whoever comes out of the gate strongest on this matchup will likely take the cake. The Charlotte Hornets may simply be aiming to stave off a Denver blowout.

KEY MATCHUP: Nick Richards vs Nikola Jokić

It will be a battle of the bigs tonight due to Jokić's Goliath mastery on the court for the Nuggets and a missing Williams for the Hornets. Richards and Charlotte will have to dig deep to keep up. Of course, there are lots of teams that find trouble coming up against Jokić. But if the Hornets want to stay alive and not lose their seventh game in a row, a strategic and consistent attack will be required.

The game will air at 7:00 PM EST on Bally Sports Southeast.

	Hornets	Nuggets
PG	Terry Rozier	Jamal Murray
SG	Brandon Miller	Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF	Gordon Hayward	Michael Porter Jr.
PF	P.J. Washington	Aaron Gordon
C	Nick Richards	Nikola Jokić

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