As young and dynamic as the Charlotte Hornets are, it hasn’t translated to success yet. Powered by a polished LaMelo Ball, the organization has lost three straight games, all by close margins. In those games, Ball has scored a combined 126 points, including a career-high 50 points against the Bucks. Tonight, their NBA Cup life hangs in the balance facing off against the ferocious and star-laden New York Knicks. And an unforeseen hurdle lies in front of them.

According to Evan Sidery, Ball will be out against the Eastern powerhouse because of a left calf injury. It has been an injury that has bothered him since the last few games. However, until now, the quirky point guard had yet to miss a game. With his workload being extremely high over the past week, it seems the team has had to make a tough decision out of precaution.

Ball is having a coming-of-the-age season, averaging 31.1 points per game, the second-highest mark in the league only trailing Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Hornets’ reliance on the 23-year-old has been greater than ever though. He leads the NBA in usage rate at 38.5%. Until now, it had never surpassed 32% in his four years in the league.

The worst part? That’s only the beginning of the problems for the Hornets ahead of their NBA Cup clash against the New York Knicks.

Charlotte Hornets injury report

LaMelo Ball is only one of the six rotation players that the Hornets will miss during the game against New York. Grant Williams is out for the season because of an ACL injury he suffered against the Milwaukee Bucks. That adds to the list of growing defensive troubles as the Hornets have listed both of their preferred centers to be unavailable as well.

Mark Williams, who is a forceful presence inside the paint suffered a left foot injury before training camp. He is yet to make his debut this season. In his absence, Nick Richards had slotted into the starting lineup and having a career year, averaging a double-double. Unfortunately, the shot-blocking center suffered a rib fracture during a collision against the Boston Celtics and hasn’t played a game since the start of November.

That’s been among the reasons Charlotte has had to empty their tanks on offense to stay competitive in games. Against the Knicks though, that also seems to be wary. Miles Bridges, a dynamic scoring forward, is slated to miss his fifth straight game owing to a knee injury. He has begun to increase the intensity of his workouts. Moreover, Tre Mann, the backup point guard averaging a career-high 14.1 points is also set to miss a fourth straight game due to lower back soreness.

Charlotte Hornets predicted starting lineups

If it wasn’t abundantly clear, the Charlotte Hornets are greatly depleted ahead of their clash against the Knicks. Three of their starters are out alongside three other bench players. Hence, Charles Lee will have to make significant adjustments to his starting lineups in the wake of LaMelo Ball being absent from the matchup.

Here is how their starting lineup could look with the updated injuries.

PG: Seth Curry, SG: Brandon Miller, SF: Josh Green, PF: Tidjane Salaun, C: Moussa Diabate.

The likes of Taj Gibson, floor general Vasilije Micic, and Cody Martin are all expected to have larger roles during tonight’s contest. Furthermore, sophomore Brandon Miller, who has been impressive thus far will look to take charge from the front against the fourth-seeded New York Knicks.