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NBA Rumors: When Hornets Cody Martin Expected To Make Season Debut, Plus Kristaps Porzingis, Jayson Tatum and Karl-Anthony Towns Injury Updates

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Perhaps some good news is coming out of the Charlotte Hornets camp, as forward Cody Martin could make his season debut tonight against the Denver Nuggets. Martin is listed as questionable for the game for the first time this season. If Martin is cleared, the 28-year-old is expected to be eased back into the rotation.

NBA Rumors: When Hornets Cody Martin Expected To Make Season Debut, Plus Kristaps Porzingis, Jayson Tatum and Karl-Anthony Towns Injury Updates

Martin has been out since January 14 last year due to knee and quad injuries. Back on November 27, Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer reported that Martin had been “working slowly behind the scenes” and should be “ready to participate in team activity relatively shortly.”

But there hasn’t been much from the Hornets concerning updates. Hornets coach Steve Clifford did make a statement about Martin’s progress following a game on December 8.

“I mean, he’s a lot closer. I don’t know in terms of like what a timetable would be — I don’t know. I mean, he’s doing a lot more. He’s been coming through the harder workouts better, feeling better. Fingers crossed on that one.”

Martin is considered a “good team guy” and a defensive stalwart. He owns career of averages of 5.8 points, 3.5 boards, and 2.1 assists with a .457/.318/.658 shooting slash  line.

While getting Martin back would be a boom for the Hornets (7-19), it appears that Mark Williams will miss his seventh straight game with a back contusion. The Hornets have lost each of the six games Williams has missed, with four setbacks by double-digits.

Jordan Clarkson and Talen Horton-Tucker Are Questionable For Tonight

The Utah Jazz will again won’t have rookie Keyonte George for tonight’s clash against Toronto. George’s sore left foot will cost him a sixth straight game. However, Andy Larrsen of the Salt Lake City Tribune said the Jazz (11-18) could have Jordan Clarkson and Talen Horton-Tucker available.

Clarkson has missed the last six contests due to a thigh injury. Clarkson was diagnosed with a right thigh strain on December 12 and was expected to be sidelined for two weeks. The 31-year-old guard is about one-and-half weeks since the injury, so it is unclear if he will be cleared.

Horton-Tucker missed his first game on Thursday due to a foot injury. He is reportedly in danger of missing his second straight contest.

Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum Dealing With Sprained Ankles

The Boston Celtics (21-6) could be without two-fifths of their starting lineup when they face the Los Angeles Clippers (17-11) this afternoon. Kristaps Porzingis has already been ruled out due to a sprained left ankle, per The Athletic’s Jarred Weiss.

Porzingis suffered the injury when he landed on the foot of Sacramento Kings’ Domantas Sabonis on Wednesday. While Porzingis was able to finish the game against the Kings, the ankle flared up afterward. It will be Porzingis’ third missed game in the past five.

However, Adam Himmselsbach of The Boston Globe believes that hat Porzingis won’t be sidelined for very long. Himmelsback saw the 28-year-old carrying his own massage table at the team’s hotel on Friday.

As Weiss stated, Jayson Tatum is questionable to play this afternoon after missing Wednesday’s loss. Tatum was able to participate in Friday’s practice in a limited capacity.

With Porzingis out, Derrick White will remain in the lineup, with Al Horford sliding over to center. Sam Hauser or Lamar Stevens is in line to start if Tatum is also out.

Karl-Anthony Towns Out For Cautionary Reasons

Minnesota Timberwolves (21-6) center Karl-Anthony Towns has been ruled out of tonight’s game against Sacramento due to left knee soreness. It is the first game that the 7-footer has missed.

Towns was injured in the Wolves victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. He was seen limping and holding his leg after exiting the game late in the fourth quarter.  Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic said Towns’ absence was “precautionary,” he is not expected to miss much time.

Kyle Anderson will likely start in place of Towns, although Naz Reid could garner the nod. Last year, Anderson started 46 games at power forward for the Timberwolves while Towns was out.

Other Tidbits

  • Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell will miss his third straight game with an illness, according to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor. Fedor added that Sam Merrill is questionable with a right wrist sprain against Chicago tonight.

With Mitchell out, Craig Porter Jr is slated to get the start again at point guard. On a two-way deal, Porter has been a huge surprise for the Cavaliers. While the 23-year-old has struggled with his shot in his last two starts, he has continued to do a fantastic job distributing the ball as he posted a career-high 11 assists against New Orleans on Thursday.

  • Washington forward Kyle Kuzma (right knee soreness) exited the Wizards’  loss to the Golden State Warriors with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter and did not return. However, Kuzma told Andscape’s  Marc J. Spears he expects to play Tuesday against Orlando.

 

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