{"id":60198,"date":"2023-12-23T13:36:48","date_gmt":"2023-12-23T18:36:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=60198"},"modified":"2023-12-23T13:45:10","modified_gmt":"2023-12-23T18:45:10","slug":"nba-rumors-when-hornets-cody-martin-expected-to-make-season-debut-plus-kristaps-porzingis-jayson-tatum-karl-anthony-towns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/12\/23\/nba-rumors-when-hornets-cody-martin-expected-to-make-season-debut-plus-kristaps-porzingis-jayson-tatum-karl-anthony-towns\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Rumors: When Hornets Cody Martin Expected To Make Season Debut, Plus Kristaps Porzingis, Jayson Tatum and Karl-Anthony Towns Injury Updates"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Perhaps some good news is coming out of the Charlotte Hornets camp, as forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/martico01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Cody Martin<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">INJURY UPDATE: <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hornets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@hornets<\/a> vs DEN 12\/23<\/p>\n<p>Cody Martin (L Knee) is questionable<\/p>\n<p>Mark Williams (Low Back Contusion) is doubtful<\/p>\n<p>LaMelo Ball (R Ankle), Frank Ntilikina (L Tibia) are out<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HornetsPR\/status\/1738318559019684135?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 22, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>NBA Rumors: When Hornets Cody Martin Expected To Make Season Debut, Plus Kristaps Porzingis, Jayson Tatum and Karl-Anthony Towns Injury Updates<\/h2>\n<p>Martin has been out since January 14 last year due to knee and quad injuries. Back on November 27, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbssports.com\/fantasy\/basketball\/news\/hornets-cody-martin-could-resume-activity-soon\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer<\/a> reported that Martin had been &#8220;working slowly behind the scenes&#8221; and should be &#8220;ready to participate in team activity relatively shortly.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>But there hasn&#8217;t been much from the Hornets concerning updates. Hornets coach Steve Clifford did make a statement about Martin&#8217;s progress following a game on December 8.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;I mean, he&#8217;s a lot closer. I don&#8217;t know in terms of like what a timetable would be &#8212; I don&#8217;t know. I mean, he&#8217;s doing a lot more. He&#8217;s been coming through the harder workouts better, feeling better. Fingers crossed on that one.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Martin is considered a &#8220;good team guy&#8221; 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\u00a0 line.<\/p>\n<p>While getting Martin back would be a boom for the Hornets (7-19), it appears that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/willima07.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Mark Williams<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<h3>Jordan Clarkson and Talen Horton-Tucker Are Questionable For Tonight<\/h3>\n<p>The Utah Jazz will again won&#8217;t have rookie <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/georgke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Keyonte George<\/strong><\/a> for tonight&#8217;s clash against Toronto. George&#8217;s sore left foot will cost him a sixth straight game. However, Andy Larrsen of the Salt Lake City Tribune said the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/08\/04\/2023-24-nba-power-rankings-offseason-edition-no-23-utah-jazz\/\" target=\"_self\">Jazz<\/a> (11-18) could have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/clarkjo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jordan Clarkson<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hortota01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Talen Horton-Tucker<\/strong><\/a> available.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Horton-Tucker missed his first game on Thursday due to a foot injury. He is reportedly in danger of missing his second straight contest.<\/p>\n<h3>Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum Dealing With Sprained Ankles<\/h3>\n<p>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. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/porzikr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Kristaps Porzingis<\/strong><\/a> has already been ruled out due to a sprained left ankle, per The Athletic&#8217;s Jarred Weiss.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">No Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is tomorrow against the Clippers due to the left ankle sprain he suffered in Sacramento, per Celtics. <\/p>\n<p>Jayson Tatum is questionable with the same injury after missing the Kings game. Joe Mazzulla said today it will be hard to make JT sit 2 games in a row.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JaredWeissNBA\/status\/1738360222127968309?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 23, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Porzingis suffered the injury when he landed on the foot of Sacramento Kings&#8217; Domantas Sabonis on Wednesday. While Porzingis was able to finish the game against the Kings, the ankle flared up afterward. It will be Porzingis&#8217; third missed game in the past five.<\/p>\n<p>However, Adam Himmselsbach of The Boston Globe believes that hat Porzingis won\u2019t be sidelined for very long. Himmelsback saw the 28-year-old carrying his own massage table at the team\u2019s hotel on Friday.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Regarding Porzingis\u2019 ankle injury, I saw him carrying his own massage table around the team hotel today so I\u2019m guessing this will not be a long-term absence lol.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AdamHimmelsbach\/status\/1738408855145722209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 23, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>As Weiss stated,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tatumja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong> Jayson Tatum<\/strong><\/a> is questionable to play this afternoon after missing Wednesday&#8217;s loss. Tatum was able to participate in Friday&#8217;s practice in a limited capacity.<\/p>\n<p>With Porzingis out,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/whitede01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong> Derrick White<\/strong><\/a> will remain in the lineup, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/horfoal01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Al Horford<\/strong><\/a> sliding over to center. Sam Hauser or Lamar Stevens is in line to start if Tatum is also out.<\/p>\n<h3>Karl-Anthony Towns Out For Cautionary Reasons<\/h3>\n<p>Minnesota Timberwolves (21-6) center <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/townska01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Karl-Anthony Towns<\/strong><\/a> has been ruled out of tonight&#8217;s game against Sacramento due to left knee soreness. It is the first game that the 7-footer has missed.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Minnesota <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Timberwolves?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Timberwolves<\/a> Status Report in advance of tomorrow\u2019s game at Sacramento:<\/p>\n<p>OUT<br \/>Clark &#8211; Right Achilles Tendon Rupture Rehab<br \/>Miller &#8211; G League Assignment <br \/>Minott &#8211; G League Assignment <br \/>Nix &#8211; Two-Way<br \/>Towns &#8211; Left Knee Soreness<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Twolves_PR\/status\/1738342847273996743?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 22, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/05\/14\/nba-rumors-karl-anthony-towns-new-york-knicks\/\" target=\"_self\">Towns<\/a> 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. \u00a0Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic said Towns&#8217; absence was &#8220;precautionary,&#8221; he is not expected to miss much time.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/anderky01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Kyle Anderson<\/strong><\/a> will likely start in place of Towns, although <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/reidna01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Naz Reid<\/strong><\/a> could garner the nod. Last year, Anderson started 46 games at power forward for the Timberwolves while Towns was out.<\/p>\n<h3>Other Tidbits<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Cleveland Cavaliers&#8217; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mitchdo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Donovan Mitchell<\/strong><\/a> will miss his third straight game with an illness, according to Cleveland.com&#8217;s Chris Fedor. Fedor added that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/merrisa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Sam Merrill<\/strong> <\/a>is questionable with a right wrist sprain against Chicago tonight.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Cavs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Cavs<\/a> Donovan Mitchell (illness) will be OUT again tomorrow night vs. Chicago. Will be his third straight missed game. Sam Merrill is QUESTIONABLE with what is being termed a sprained right wrist.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChrisFedor\/status\/1738343017948303532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 22, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>With Mitchell out, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/portecr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Craig Porter Jr<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Washington forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kuzmaky01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Kyle Kuzma<\/strong><\/a> (right knee soreness) exited the Wizards&#8217;\u00a0 loss to the Golden State Warriors with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter and did not return. However, Kuzma told Andscape&#8217;s\u00a0 Marc J. Spears he expects to play Tuesday against Orlando.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Kyle Kuzma told <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/andscape?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@andscape<\/a> he expects to play next game. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/sYKsa8zHAS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/sYKsa8zHAS<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarcJSpears\/status\/1738455650139808102?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 23, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3146,"featured_media":60220,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,5,7,9,2,62,3,24,18],"tags":[798,321,213,4665,138,1128,2003],"class_list":["post-60198","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-celtics","category-hornets","category-cavaliers","category-featured","category-nba","category-news","category-jazz","category-wizards","tag-jayson-tatum","tag-jordan-clarkson","tag-karl-anthony-towns","tag-keyonte-george","tag-kristaps-porzingis","tag-kyle-kuzma","tag-talen-horton-tucker"],"modified_by":"Daniel Benjamin","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60198","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3146"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60198"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60198\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60220"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60198"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60198"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60198"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}