Hornets' Brandon Miller sidelined for a week with glute injury
- Brandon Miller sustained a strained left glute and will miss at least one week of play.
- He will likely miss a minimum of three games, which is compounded by the absence of starting center Mark Williams due to his injury.
- The team is facing ongoing injuries, highlighting a persistent struggle that has extended their playoff drought.
The Charlotte Hornets have announced that guard Brandon Miller will be sidelined for at least a week due to a strained left glute, an injury he sustained during the second half of the team's season-opening game against the Houston Rockets. This means Miller, a key player and the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 draft, will likely miss at least three games as he is set to be reevaluated after a week. The team is already dealing with significant injuries, as starting center Mark Williams was also absent due to a strained tendon in his left foot during their recent matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. In only the second game of the season, the Hornets faced the challenge of competing without two crucial starters, a scenario that highlights the ongoing injury issues the team has faced over the past two years. These challenges have contributed to an extended playoff drought for the Hornets, which has now reached eight years. LaMelo Ball, the top player on the team, has struggled with his own injuries, having played only 58 of 164 games in the last two seasons. Despite this, he managed to score 34 points in the game against Houston, marking his return after a lengthy hiatus. First-year head coach Charles Lee emphasized that a collaborative effort from the rest of the roster will be essential to overcome the absence of Miller. The team dynamics will be tested as they look for a way to compensate for his contributions on both ends of the court.