Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Nears double-double in return
Rotowire
Diabate had 10 points (4-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-4 FT), nine rebounds, one block and two steals in 25 minutes during Sunday's 93-86 loss to the Celtics.
Diabate returned for Sunday's regular-season finale after missing the last two games due to an illness, providing a spark off the Hornets bench by hauling in a team-high-tying rebound total and finishing one board shy of a double-double. Diabate posted at least 10 points and nine rebounds on eight occasions this season and tallied a double-digit scoring total in 16 outings.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Questionable for season finale
Rotowire
Diabate (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Boston.
Diabate has been battling an illness that has kept him off the floor for the Hornets' last two games. With Mark Williams (foot) already ruled out for Sunday's regular-season finale, Jusuf Nurkic and Taj Gibson would serve as the Hornets' center options if Diabate is unable to play.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Will play vs. Boston
Rotowire
Diabate (illness) has been cleared to play in Sunday's game against the Celtics.
After missing the last two games due to an illness, Diabate will return to the floor Sunday for the Hornets' regular season finale in Boston. The 22-year-old big man is averaging career-high numbers across the board, putting up 5.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting 60.1 percent from the field.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Ruled out Friday
Rotowire
Diabate (illness) won't play in Friday's game versus the Celtics.
Diabate will miss his second consecutive contest Friday after being downgraded from questionable to out due to an illness. Diabate's final chance to suit up this season is Sunday's rematch with Boston.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Iffy for Friday
Rotowire
Diabate (illness) is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the Celtics.
Diabate is in danger of missing his second straight contest Friday due to an illness. If Diabate is forced to sit out yet again, Jusuf Nurkic and Taj Gibson could receive increased playing time.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Ruled out Wednesday
Rotowire
Diabate (illness) has been ruled out for Wednesday's contest against Toronto.
Diabate was a late addition to the Hornets' injury report due to an illness, and he appears to be too under the weather to play in Wednesday's game. He'll look to recover ahead of Friday's game against the Celtics. Jusuf Nurkic, Taj Gibson and Tidjane Salaun will serve as the Hornets' big men Wednesday due to Diabate and Mark Williams (foot) both being ruled out.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Questionable with illness
Rotowire
Diabate (illness) has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Raptors, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
After playing 17 minutes against Memphis on Tuesday, Diabate is in jeopardy of missing the second half of this back-to-back set due to an illness. Jusuf Nurkic, Taj Gibson and Tidjane Salaun will likely have a heavy load in the frontcourt, with Mark Williams (rest) already ruled out for Wednesday's game.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Efficient outing in loss
Rotowire
Diabate contributed 10 points (5-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds, two assists and one block across 17 minutes during Tuesday's 124-100 loss to the Grizzlies.
The third-year big man served as the Hornets' backup center, with Jusuf Nurkic recording a DNP in Tuesday's loss. Diabate posted double-digit points for the second time in his last three outings, and he has played at least 17 minutes in each of those three appearances. With three regular-season games remaining, it wouldn't be a surprise if the non-contending Hornets continue to utilize Diabate as the primary backup center since the 23-year-old is under contract until the 2027-28 campaign.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Records double-double
Rotowire
Diabate closed Friday's 125-102 loss to the Kings with 15 points (6-9 FG, 3-4 FT) and 11 rebounds across 23 minutes.
Diabate is essentially the Hornets' third-string center behind Mark Williams (back) and Jusuf Nurkic, so his chances of playing aren't plentiful. However, there have been several instances where he's made the most of his opportunities based on the energy he brings on both ends of the court. He could be an intriguing fantasy alternative down the stretch due to his per-minute stats, but he won't have a lot of upside unless he earns a more prominent role in the rotation. He's averaging 6.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.3 blocks per game since the beginning of March despite averaging a mere 13.7 minutes per contest in that stretch.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Limited role continues Friday
Rotowire
Diabate closed Friday's 108-97 loss to the Raptors with nine points (4-6 FG, 1-3 FT), six rebounds and one block in 13 minutes.
Diabate managed just 13 minutes in the loss, having exceeded that mark only twice in the past 10 games. At this point, he needs either Jusuf Nurkic or Mark Williams to be sidelined to have any chance of playing a meaningful role. With a back-to-back slated in the coming days, there is a chance that it could come to fruition, at least for one of the two games.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Cleared to play Thursday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Uncertain to play Thursday
Rotowire
Diabate is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Knicks due to right knee soreness.
Diabate suffered the knee injury in Tuesday's 134-102 loss to the Hawks and wasn't able to return, but the Hornets aren't yet willing to rule him out for Thursday. A decision on his status will be made closer to Thursday's 7 p.m. ET tipoff.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Fails to return Tuesday
Rotowire
Diabate recorded two points (1-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds and two blocks in 18 minutes before exiting Tuesday's 134-102 loss to the Hawks with 3:58 remaining in the fourth quarter due to an apparent right knee injury.
Diabate required assistance to the locker room after he appeared to injure his knee while attempting to contest a layup. The Hornets will be back in action Thursday against the Knicks, but Diabate could face an uphill battle to get cleared for that contest.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Injures knee Tuesday
Rotowire
Diabate sustained an apparent right knee injury during the fourth quarter of Tuesday's game against the Hawks, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Diabate went down under the basket after contesting a layup, and he appeared to grab at his right knee before being helped off the court with 3:58 remaining in the period. The big man is unlikely to return during the final minutes of the game, and he can be considered questionable at best for Thursday's matchup against the Knicks. He posted two points (1-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds and two blocks in 18 minutes prior to exiting.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Posts double-double in spot start
Rotowire
Diabate totaled 16 points (8-12 FG), 15 rebounds, two assists and one steal in 37 minutes during Saturday's 105-102 win over the Nets.
With Jusuf Nurkic (neck) and Mark Williams (foot) sidelined Saturday, Diabate submitted his sixth double-double in his eighth start of the year. Diabate has averaged 7.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 28.4 minutes while shooting 56.3 percent from the field as a starter this season. If both Williams and Nurkic remain out for Monday's game against the Heat, Diabate should continue to have a short-term boost in fantasy value.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Starting Saturday vs. Brooklyn
Rotowire
Diabate is in the Hornets' starting lineup against the Nets on Saturday.
Diabate will make his eighth start of the season Saturday due to the absences of Mark Williams (foot) and Jusuf Nurkic (neck). Diabate's last start came Feb. 10 against the Nets, when he logged 21 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks over 27 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Muted role continues
Rotowire
Diabate recorded six points (3-5 FG), three rebounds, two assists and one block in 11 minutes during Friday's 118-117 loss to Cleveland.
Diabate managed just 11 minutes despite the fact Charlotte was without Mark Williams who was sitting out on the first night of a back-to-back. The arrival of Jusuf Nurkic prior to the trade deadline signaled the end for Diabate when it came to playing meaningful minutes. He has now played more than 20 minutes only twice in the past eight games.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Plays well off bench
Rotowire
Diabate ended Monday's 130-88 loss to the Kings with 12 points (5-11 FG, 2-4 FT), eight rebounds and two steals across 21 minutes.
Mark Williams (foot) missed this game for the front end of the back-to-back set, though he's expected back Tuesday. Diabate has shown many times that he can be productive when the minutes are there, but there's a logjam at center now that Jusuf Nurkic is becoming more involved. When the Hornets are at full strength, minutes will be hard to come by for Diabate.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' Moussa Diabate: Helps fill in for resting Williams
Rotowire
Diabate (eye) tallied 11 points (3-10 FG, 5-7 FT) and six rebounds across 29 minutes in Thursday's 129-115 loss to the Nuggets.
Though Jusuf Nurkic drew the start at center with Mark Williams (conditioning) resting for the second leg of the back-to-back set, Diabate saw the larger share of playing time. So long as head coach Charles Lee sticks with Nurkic as the top backup when Williams plays, Diabate looks like he'll be the odd man out of the rotation, as was the case in Wednesday's 100-97 win over the Lakers. Diabate was available for that contest but didn't play in a coach's decision after he had missed the Hornets' final game before the All-Star break on Feb. 12 in Orlando due to a right eye abrasion.
0:47
1:19
0:41
2:44
1:03
1:21
2:53
2:17
1:29
