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Hornets debate center rotation with Diabaté's return uncertain

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 10, 2026, 1:33 PM

Last updated Nov 10, 2026

Hornets debate center rotation with Diabaté's return uncertain

Summary

The Charlotte Hornets face a decision regarding their center rotation as Moussa Diabaté continues to recover from a right quadriceps injury. Diabaté missed his second consecutive game in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 8, with no clear timeline for his return. Since Diabaté's injury, Ryan Kalkbrenner has shown a positive impact on team performance, leading to considerations about whether Diabaté should automatically reclaim his starting position. Kalkbrenner's play has yielded a notable improvement in the Hornets' net rating, contrasting with the struggles when Diabaté is on the floor. Head coach Charles Lee must weigh team performance data against previous hierarchies in the starting lineup.

Source Links

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Status Watch

•Moussa Diabaté missed a second straight game due to injury.
•Ryan Kalkbrenner has improved team performance during Diabaté's absence.
•Hornets recorded a positive net rating with Kalkbrenner on the floor.
•Diabaté's return timeline remains unclear as he deals with a quad injury.
•Head coach Charles Lee faces a pivotal decision on starting lineup changes.

Latest Updates

1:33 PMYahoo Sports — Kalkbrenner vs Diabaté: Hornets’ Center Rotation Dilemma

What they're saying

"
The Charlotte Hornets center rotation has sparked internal debate as Moussa Diabaté works his way back from a quad injury. When Diabaté first wrested the starting center job away from Ryan Kalkbrenner back in December 2025, it looked like a straightforward developmental pivot for a high-motor big man. Yet, tracking the team's on- and off-floor …
— Yahoo Sports

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