The injury bug strikes again! LaMelo Ball will be reevaluated in a week, but what does this latest ankle setback mean for his availability and long-term durability? Doug and Walker break down why this timeline might actually be a good sign for Hornets fans.

Meanwhile, Nick Smith Jr. continues to get extended minutes due to the team’s injury situation, but his shooting struggles have been hard to ignore. Is this just a cold stretch, or does it signal a bigger concern about his long-term fit in Charlotte? Doug weighs in on whether Smith Jr. has the tools to stick in the NBA if his shot doesn’t improve.

Another name missing from the Hornets' lineup? Tidjane Salaun. With Charlotte essentially rolling out a G-League-heavy squad, why wasn’t the rookie given a chance to log NBA minutes? We discuss whether his development plan is working and when fans can expect to see him back in the big leagues.

Plus, a look at the upcoming schedule, why Hornets fans might need to brace for a lot of losses, and what this stretch could mean for the team’s future moves at the trade deadline. Tune in for all that and more on this episode of Locked On Hornets!

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Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

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