Simpson supplied 16 points (6-14 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 2-4 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal across 29 minutes during Sunday's 115-106 loss to the Nuggets.
Simpson entered the Hornets' starting lineup for the first time this season due to the absences of LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Collin Sexton (quadriceps). Simpson started out nicely with 13 points in the first half, and while he cooled off in the second, he still finished Sunday's game as the Hornets' third-leading scorer behind Miles Bridges (24 points) and Brandon Miller (17 points). Ball will likely be available for the Hornets' next game Friday against the Bulls, in which case Simpson would revert to a bench role.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Starting Sunday
Rotowire
Simpson will start against the Nuggets on Sunday, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
With LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Collin Sexton (quadriceps) unavailable, Simpson will get the starting nod for the first time this season. The two-way player logged a season-high 28 minutes in Friday's win over the Raptors, during which he registered eight points (2-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five steals, four assists and three rebounds.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Season-high 28 minutes
Rotowire
Simpson accumulated eight points (2-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five steals, four assists and three rebounds across 28 minutes during Friday's 111-86 victory over Toronto.
Simpson logged a season-high minutes total, closing the game after LaMelo Ball exited early with yet another ankle injury. The two-way player made the most of his time on the court and could become a more regular part of the rotation if Ball is forced to miss additional time.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Back to G League
Rotowire
Charlotte transferred Simpson to the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.
Simpson has been used sparingly at the NBA level so far. Through eight appearances, he holds averages of 4.9 points, 2.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per contest.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Back to NBA
Rotowire
Charlotte recalled Simpson from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.
After getting in a practice session with the Swarm on Monday, Simpson was immediately recalled. He will continue to provide emergency depth for the Hornets.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Sent to G League
Rotowire
The Hornets transferred Simpson to the G League's Swarm on Monday.
The Hornets are beginning a two-game road trip Monday in Toronto, so the fact that Simpson was sent to the G League suggests that he won't be available for either of those contests. Simpson has appeared in six games for the Hornets this season, with all coming when LaMelo Ball hasn't been available.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Upgraded to available
Rotowire
Simpson (shoulder) is available for Saturday's game against the Thunder.
Simpson was deemed probable for this contest due to a shoulder issue, but the second-year floor general will be able to suit up. He's buried on the depth chart, however, so he isn't likely to see many minutes. He's been limited to just five appearances and 14.4 minutes per contest so far in 2025-26.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Probable vs. Thunder
Rotowire
Simpson (shoulder) is probable for Saturday's game against the Thunder.
A left AC joint sprain continues to plague Simpson, though the issue shouldn't keep him out Saturday. With LaMelo Ball (ankle) set to take a seat against Oklahoma City, Simpson is in line to at least be part of the rotation. The two-way player has averaged 5.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 14.4 minutes per game over five games this season, shooting just 37.5 percent from the floor.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Available to play
Rotowire
Simpson (shoulder) will be available to play Friday against the Bucks.
Simpson will be available, but with LaMelo Ball (ankle) returning for Friday's game, Simpson might get bumped from the rotation. He's averaging 5.0 points and 2.6 assists in 14.4 minutes a night on the year.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Likely to play vs. Bucks
Rotowire
Simpson (shoulder) is probable for Friday's game against Milwaukee.
A left AC joint sprain continues to bother Simpson, but he remains likely to play Friday. With LaMelo Ball (ankle) expected to return from a five-game absence, Simpson is in danger of losing some playing time. The two-way player has averaged 5.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 14.4 minutes per contest over five games this season, shooting a paltry 37.5 percent from the floor.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Cleared for Wednesday
Rotowire
Simpson (shoulder) is available for Wednesday's game against the Bucks.
Simpson was tabbed probable for Wednesday's contest due to a sprained left shoulder. The two-way guard will give it a go, and he'll likely see decent action off the bench due to the absence of LaMelo Ball (ankle).
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Probable for Wednesday
Rotowire
Simpson (shoulder) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Bucks.
A shoulder sprain isn't expected to keep Simpson from playing Wednesday. Simpson has averaged 5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 15.8 minutes per contest over four games this season.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Fares well off bench
Rotowire
Simpson closed Tuesday's 116-112 loss to the Pelicans with eight points (3-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and three rebounds over 13 minutes.
Simpson is on a two-way contract with the Hornets, but he made his second appearance of the season Tuesday due to some injuries in Charlotte. Once the Hornets get some reinforcements back, Simpson is likely to be a featured player for the Greensboro Swarm in the G League.
Simpson totaled 18 points (6-13 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven assists, one rebound and one steal across 25 minutes in Monday's 87-69 Summer League win over the Mavericks.
Simpson delivered another strong showing Monday, leading all scorers with 18 points. He saw extended minutes to close out his rookie 2024-25 campaign, starting the Hornets' final 10 regular-season games and averaging 9.9 points, 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 36.4 percent in 30.2 minutes per game.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Fills up stat sheet in win
Rotowire
Simpson tallied 19 points (6-16 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 5-8 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and one steal across 30 minutes during Saturday's 96-94 win against the 76ers.
Simpson followed up a 21-point performance in Friday's game against the Jazz with another strong showing Saturday in the Summer League. The Colorado product finished with a team-high 19 points, being one of five players for Philadelphia to score in double figures in a matchup that came down to the wire in Las Vegas. He also ripped down a team-high seven rebounds.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Knocks down four threes in SL
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Simpson generated 21 points (8-15 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five assists, three rebounds and three steals over 29 minutes of Friday's 111-105 Summer League win over Utah.
Simpson was one of three Hornets players to hit the 20-point threshold, joining Liam McNeeley and Tijane Salaun in the 20-point club. Simpson made just 25.4 percent of his three-point attempts with the Hornets last season, but he was firing on all cylinders from beyond the arc Friday. Entering the second and final year of his two-year, two-way contract, Simpson will need to prove he's worth keeping around.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Struggles offensively in loss
Rotowire
Simpson closed with two points (1-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt), five rebounds, five assists and two steals in 32 minutes during Sunday's 93-86 loss to the Celtics.
Simpson failed to make an impact on the offensive end of the floor in the Hornets' regular-season finale Sunday, scoring two points while missing five of the six shots he attempted. The rookie guard's year ends, averaging 7.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, shooting 34.6 percent from the floor and 25.4 percent from beyond the arc.
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