McDaniels will join the second unit for Thursday's game against the Bulls.
McDaniels had started the Hornets' previous 11 contests as the team battled through various injuries but will slide to the bench for Thursday's contest with the team at full health outside of Cody Martin (knee). In 28 bench appearances, McDaniels has averaged 10.1 points and 4.9 rebounds across 25.4 minutes.
McDaniels accumulated 15 points (7-16 FG, 1-5 3Pt), 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals in 34 minutes during Tuesday's 128-97 loss to the Suns.
McDaniels flirted with a double-double in his last matchup Monday against the Jazz (nine points and nine boards), and he was able to secure his second of the season Tuesday. He also picked up a pair of steals and has tallied at least one steal in four of his last five games.
McDaniels produced 26 points (9-15 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), three rebounds, two steals and one assist across 35 minutes during Monday's 130-118 loss to Boston.
McDaniels came from nowhere to erupt for a season-high scoring total, eclipsing 20 points for just the third time in 2022-23. However, he has scored double-digits in 10 of his past 11 games, putting up top-120 per-game value in eight- and nine-category leagues over the past month. He remains a viable 12-team asset, at least until Gordon Hayward returns from his hamstring injury to potentially poach minutes from McDaniels.
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Hornets' Jalen McDaniels: Pops for 17 points Sunday
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McDaniels produced 17 points (7-14 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal over 34 minutes during Sunday's 116-111 loss to the Pacers.
McDaniels continues to play well as a starter, churning out another solid two-way performance. With Gordon Hayward (hamstring) and Kelly Oubre (hand) both sidelined, the path to minutes is reasonably clear right now, making McDaniels a viable 12-team asset. Oubre is set to miss a few more weeks, while Hayward is seemingly always injured. All of this adds up to what should be a nice opportunity for McDaniels to prove himself.
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Hornets' Jalen McDaniels: Productive in spot start
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McDaniels closed with 16 points (6-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals across 27 minutes during Wednesday's 131-107 loss to Memphis.
Getting the start at small forward in place of Gordon Hayward (hamstring), McDaniels had a strong performance and recorded multiple steals and blocks for the first time since Nov. 7, and the third time this season. However, the fourth-year player has been more than just a contributor on the defensive end of the court lately. McDaniels has scored in double digits in five straight games -- his longest streak of the season -- and has averaged 12.0 points, 6.0 boards, 1.6 assists, 1.4 threes and 1.0 steals over that stretch while shooting 52.4 percent from the floor.
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Hornets' Jalen McDaniels: Gets starting nod
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McDaniels is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game versus Memphis, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
McDaniels will start in place of Gordon Hayward (hamstring). The 24-year-old forward is averaging 12.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 27.9 minutes across his 10 starts this season.
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Hornets' Jalen McDaniels: Solid output from bench
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McDaniels closed with 12 points (3-6 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds and three assists across 26 minutes during Tuesday's 110-105 loss to the Warriors.
McDaniels drained three triples to get into double-digit scoring territory for the 16th time this season. Greater scoring totals directly correspond with his perimeter opportunities, but it's impossible to predict when he'll pop in the category. Despite the variance, he's a viable fantasy option in deeper leagues.
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Hornets' Jalen McDaniels: Well-rounded line off bench
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McDaniels finished with 14 points (5-8 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block across 20 minutes in Sunday's 119-115 loss to the Nuggets.
McDaniels shifted back to the bench Sunday with P.J. Washington (personal) returning from a one-game absence and proceeded to deliver a solid all-around line. Though McDaniels appears set to play as part of the second unit moving forward, he could be the beneficiary of a few extra minutes Monday against the Kings if starting shooting guard Terry Rozier (hip) isn't available. Rozier exited in the second quarter of Sunday's contest and was unable to return.
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Hornets' Jalen McDaniels: Flops in starting role
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McDaniels closed Friday's 125-106 loss to the Hawks with seven points (3-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), one rebound, two assists and one steal in 17 minutes.
McDaniels was named as the starter Friday, replacing P.J. Washington who was out due to personal reasons. While we don't have any further details about Washington's absence, it is unlikely to see him miss too many games. While McDaniels can be streamed on nights such as this, he should be viewed as less of a streaming consideration now that the Hornets are starting to get healthy bodies back on the floor.
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Hornets' Jalen McDaniels: Starting for absent Washington
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McDaniels will start Friday's game against the Hawks, Sam Perley of the Hornets' official site reports.
With P.J. Washington (personal) a late scratch, McDaniels will step back into the starting five. As a starter, he's averaged 12.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 29.1 minutes. Fantasy managers should monitor his workload in the team's coming games, however, as Gordon Hayward (shoulder) is expected to return Friday, which could cut into McDaniels' workload when everyone is available.
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Hornets' Jalen McDaniels: Leads bench in scoring
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McDaniels recorded 21 points (7-9 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 35 minutes during Wednesday's 141-134 overtime loss to the Pistons.
McDaniels drilled all three of his attempts from beyond the arc and scored in double figures for the fourth time through seven matchups in December. He's also been putting up solid production across the board, posting 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals over this stretch.
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Hornets' Jalen McDaniels: Will operate off bench
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McDaniels will operate off the bench during Wednesday's game against the Pistons.
McDaniels had started eight games in a row, posting 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 30.1 minutes during that stretch, but he'll revert to a bench role with LaMelo Ball returning to the lineup for just the fourth time all season. As a reserve (18 games), McDaniels has averaged 9.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 25.4 minutes per game.
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Hornets' Jalen McDaniels: Productive second half Wednesday
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McDaniels totaled 19 points (8-14 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 36 minutes during Wednesday's 122-116 loss to Brooklyn.
McDaniels played 20 minutes after halftime and scored 13 of his 19 points as Charlotte mounted a comeback but eventually fell short. It was his sixth straight start for the Hornets, and he's averaging 15.0 points while making 50.7 percent of his shots since joining the starting lineup. With 10.5 points per game this year, the 24-year-old is having the most productive offensive season of his career.
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Hornets' Jalen McDaniels: Another solid night from field
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McDaniels racked up 21 points (8-15 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 33 minutes during Saturday's 105-96 loss to the Bucks.
After going just 3-of-9 from the field for eight points in the first half, McDaniels poured in another 13 on 5-of-6 shooting over the final two quarters to give him just his second 20-point game of the season. The Hornets forward hit two of the team's five three-pointers on the night and is 7-of-15 from beyond the arc over his last three contests. He's also grabbed at least five rebounds in three of his last four.
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Hornets' Jalen McDaniels: Top scorer in heavy loss Monday
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McDaniels registered 24 points (9-12 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), one rebound and two assists across 30 minutes during Monday's 140-105 loss to the Celtics.
McDaniels had things going offensively Monday, popping off for a season-high 24 points. With Gordon Hayward (shoulder) set to miss an extended period of time, McDaniels figures to soak up some additional playing time, even when LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Terry Rozier (illness) return. He obviously won't score the ball this well on most nights but given the opportunity, he should at least be considered a viable option in most formats.
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Hornets' Jalen McDaniels: Will start Friday
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Hornets coach Steve Clifford said McDaniels will be in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Timberwolves, Sam Perley of the Hornets' official site reports.
McDaniels will start Friday with Gordon Hayward (shoulder) out. McDaniels is averaging 9.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 25.3 minutes across 19 games this season.
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Hornets' Jalen McDaniels: Decent production off bench
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McDaniels recorded eight points (3-10 FG, 2-5 3Pt), six rebounds and one assist in 21 minutes during Sunday's 106-102 loss to Washington.
McDaniels saw his usual workload in this one, and while he didn't have a great shooting night, he did notch his best rebounding performance since Nov. 7 against Washington. He's now recorded six or more rebounds in six of his 18 appearances this season.
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Hornets' Jalen McDaniels: Sharp from downtown
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McDaniels notched 16 points (6-10 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds and four assists in 34 minutes during Thursday's 117-112 overtime loss to Miami.
McDaniels secured his first double-digit scoring performance since Nov. 2 against the Bulls, and he did so in impressive fashion. He tallied nine of his 16 points from beyond the arc and also finished with unexpected production in the assist column, tying his best mark of the season with four. McDaniels is averaging 8.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 27.7 minutes so far in six November games.
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Hornets' Jalen McDaniels: Moves to bench Saturday
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McDaniels will slide to a bench role Saturday versus the Nets.
McDaniels seemed a likely candidate to move to the bench when news surfaced that Terry Rozier (ankle) would return Saturday. McDaniels' minutes could take a hit as a result and more reinforcements in LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Gordon Hayward (shoulder) may not be far off.
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Hornets' Jalen McDaniels: Struggles in heavy loss Friday
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McDaniels closed with four points (1-5 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), one rebound, two assists and one steal across 21 minutes during Friday's 130-99 loss to Memphis.
McDaniels moved into the starting lineup Friday, replacing Gordon Hayward, who was out with a shoulder injury. While it has been a strong start to the season for McDaniels, he fell flat in this game, delivering a stinker for anyone rostering him. While the season thus far is a relatively small sample size, McDaniels appears to have the backing of the coach, so he should still be rostered in most formats moving forward.
