Simpson will start in Friday's game against the Thunder.
The 22-year-old point guard will receive the starting nod due to LaMelo Ball (ankle) being sidelined. Simpson has recorded four starts on the season, averaging 13.0 points, 4.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals across 31.8 minutes per contest.
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Hornets' Jusuf Nurkic: Will start vs. Oklahoma City
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Nurkic will be in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Thunder.
Nurkic will be a starter for the Hornets for the fifth time this season Friday in Oklahoma City. The veteran big man is averaging 10.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game as a starter for Charlotte.
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Hornets' Marcus Garrett: Remaining out Friday
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Garrett won't play in Friday's game versus the Thunder due to not being with the team.
Garrett missed Charlotte's previous contest due to lower back soreness but will now miss Friday's game while away from the team. With Garrett's 10-day contract set to expire Saturday, it is unclear if he will make another appearance for the Hornets this season.
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Hornets' Tidjane Salaun: Won't play Friday
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Salaun (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Thunder.
Salaun made his last appearance in the G League on March 15 due to a sprained right ankle. However, the rookie first-round pick hasn't played at the NBA level since March 8, so his absence shouldn't cause any major waves in the rotation. His next chance to return will come Sunday against the Heat.
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Hornets' Jusuf Nurkic: Nearly double-doubles
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Nurkic registered nine points (3-3 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and seven rebounds in 15 minutes during Thursday's 115-98 victory over New York.
Nurkic made the most of his limited minutes off the bench Thursday. Mark Williams is being held out for injury management Friday against the Thunder, leaving the Hornets very shorthanded. Nurkic could be a popular streaming option as a result.
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Hornets' Josh Okogie: Out for Friday
Rotowire
Okogie (hamstring) will not play Friday against the Thunder.
Okogie has been rehabbing from a hamstring issue that has kept him out since Jan. 31. He did complete a practice in the G League earlier this week, so a return in the near future could be on the table.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Ruled out Friday
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Williams (foot) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Thunder.
Williams will miss the second half of the club's back-to-back set due to left foot injury management. The big man's next opportunity to play will come Sunday against Miami. Moussa Diabate and Jusuf Nurkic should handle the workload at center due to Williams being sidelined.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Won't play Friday
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Ball (rest) will not play Friday against the Thunder.
Ball recorded 25 points (10-23 FG, 5-10 3Pt), five rebounds and eight assists across 28 minutes during Thursday's 115-98 win over New York, and now he'll sit out the second leg of this back-to-back set for injury management as per usual. The Hornets will be very shorthanded Friday, meaning guys like Nick Smith, Josh Green, DaQuan Jeffries and Wendell Moore could see healthy workloads.
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Hornets' Josh Green: Held to five points
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Green notched five points (2-5 FG, 1-4 3Pt) and one assist in 21 minutes during Thursday's 115-98 win over New York.
Green continues to be a non-factor on the offensive end for Charlotte. Despite playing 26.7 minutes per game over his last eight appearances, Green is averaging 5.4 points on 33.3 percent shooting from the field with 2.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 three-pointers.
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Hornets' Nick Smith: Notches 13 points
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Smith closed with 13 points (4-10 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), four rebounds and three assists across 27 minutes during Thursday's 115-98 win over the Knicks.
Although Smith has seen a healthy workload in recent games, his fantasy appeal has been limited to deeper formats. Over his last eight games, Smith has averaged 12.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 three-pointers in 24.2 minutes with no blocks or steals during that stretch.
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Hornets' Wendell Moore: Minimal impact in win
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Moore totaled two points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two assists and one rebound in 20 minutes in Thursday's 115-98 win over the Knicks.
Moore played at least 20 minutes for the third consecutive game but contributed sparingly Monday. Since returning from a concussion in early March, he's appeared in seven contests, averaging 4.6 points and 3.0 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game. The 23-year-old is on a two-way contract but has recently maintained a relatively consistent role as a reserve wing with the injury-depleted Hornets.
Bridges amassed 15 points (6-17 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 10 rebounds and four assists across 33 minutes during Thursday's 115-98 win over New York.
LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams led the way for the Hornets in this contest, but Bridges posted a solid showing across the board and recorded his third double-double over his last six appearances. He's also scored in double digits in all but two of his 15 contests since the All-Star break.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Outstanding two-way display in win
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Williams logged 19 points (8-14 FG, 3-3 FT), 14 rebounds, four assists and three blocks across 31 minutes during Thursday's 115-98 win over New York.
Williams bounced back admirably in this game, as the big man posted a mere stat line of four points, five rebounds and five assists across 23 minutes in a loss to the Hawks on Tuesday. Over his last 11 appearances, Williams has recorded nine double-doubles, averaging 16.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.7 blocks and 0.8 steals in 28.0 minutes per game.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Comes close to double-double
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Ball produced 25 points (10-23 FG, 5-10 3Pt), five rebounds and eight assists over 28 minutes during Thursday's 115-98 win over New York.
Ball didn't have his best performance in this win, but the electric point guard finished just two assists away from a double-double while putting up solid numbers in the rebounding category. Ball, who returned from a one-game absence, has reached the 25-point mark in three of his last four regular-season appearances. He should remain a key contributor on offense for the Hornets as long as he remains on the hardwood -- Ball hasn't been playing both halves of back-to-back sets in March.
Baugh is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Knicks.
Baugh will return to the bench role due to the return of LaMelo Ball (wrist). Baugh shouldn't carry a lot of upside coming off the bench.
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Hornets' Seth Curry: Back to bench role
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Curry is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Knicks.
Curry won't start this game on Thursday since Miles Bridges will return to the first unit. The sharpshooter veteran averages just 4.7 points per game when coming off the bench this season (46 contests).
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Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Cleared to play Thursday
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Diabate (knee) is available for Thursday's game against the Knicks.
Diabate was listed as questionable heading into Thursday's contest after he exited Tuesday's loss to the Hawks due to right knee soreness, but the big man has been given the green light to suit up. He'll likely split backup center minutes with Jusuf Nurkic.
