Steve Clifford Reveals Key Injury Updates Ahead Of Training Camp

Hornets' head coach reveals two players will be limited by injury during training camps

Hornets fans have received an injury update ahead of training camp opening next week from Steve Reed of The Associated Press.

Hornets coach Steve Clifford said Cody Martin will be limited to start training camp. Bryce McGowens recently sprained an ankle, so he will be out for a little bit. Sounds like Mark Williams is healed from his thumb injury and will be able to practice

— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) September 26, 2023

Let's get the negative out of the way. Clifford spoke today that Cody Martin will be "limited" in training camp. Obviously that is a major concern considering Martin appeared in just seven games in the 2022-2023 season with his lingering knee issues. It is unknown at this stage if Martin's latest injury is related to the knee injury he suffered last season.

Martin was a key player to the Hornets success in the 2021-2022 season. It's very concerning if this is due to Martin's knee injury that he struggled with for the entirety of last season. Especially, considering he's had since January to recover from the injury. 

Clifford also broke it to the media that Bryce McGowens sprained his ankle and that he will miss some time. McGowens is expected to have a more prominent role with the loss of Kelly Oubre Jr in free agency. It's unclear how much time McGowens will miss, but it could open the possibility of Nick Smith Jr having more of an opportunity in training camp and the preseason. 

However, there is some news on the positive end. Steve Clifford said that Mark Williams has healthy after thumb surgery this off-season, he will be fully available to practice. There's a lot of expectations for Mark Williams in his sophomore campaign after such a promising rookie season. Williams averaged 11.6 points per game, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 17 games as starter.

Williams played through his thumb injury for the remainder of the 2022-2023 season. However, Williams ultimately decided to get surgery on his thumb this off-season, so it's a very positive sight to see that he's 100% before training camp. 

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