Charlotte, North Carolina: Coby White Makes Season Debut for Hornets Against Pistons

Charlotte got its starting point guard back on Monday night. Coby White made his season debut for the Hornets against the Detroit Pistons at Spectrum Center, the Associated Press reported, after a left calf strain kept him out of the preseason and the first seven games of the regular season.

The Hornets announced on Sunday evening that White was not listed on the injury report and would make his debut against Detroit on November 2. Head coach Charles Lee said White will play on a minutes restriction for the next few games while he works back into form.

Why White matters to Charlotte

White, 26, became the Hornets starting point guard when the team traded LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves during the offseason. Charlotte re-signed him to a three year deal this summer, reported at 74 million dollars. The Goldsboro, North Carolina native came to Charlotte from the Chicago Bulls at last season trade deadline, and in his short run with the Hornets last season he averaged 15.6 points and 3.0 assists in 19.3 minutes per game.

His absence has shaped the first two weeks of the season. Dennis Schröder has started at point guard in his place and played 32.3 minutes a night through seven games, the second highest total on the team behind Brandon Miller. Sports Illustrated noted that Charlotte offense has struggled in that stretch, with an offensive rating of 103.1 that ranked 30th in the NBA, and that Miller has carried most of the scoring load. The Hornets opened the night 3-4 and on a three game losing streak, against a Detroit team that arrived 5-1 and had beaten Charlotte less than a week earlier.

Knueppel is close, Lee says

White is the first of the Hornets two injured starting guards to return. Kon Knueppel, who injured a hamstring during offseason workouts, has not played this season either. Lee said Knueppel return is right around the corner but would not give an exact date. Knueppel led the NBA in three pointers last season, finished second to Cooper Flagg in rookie of the year voting, and averaged 18.5 points and 5.3 rebounds a game. He has been taking part in five on five drills, the team has added contact work for him, and he recently practiced with the Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets G League affiliate. The Associated Press reported he is expected to take Sion James place in the starting lineup when he returns. Forward Grant Williams also sat out Monday with a hamstring injury.

After Monday game, Charlotte visits Brooklyn on Wednesday night and hosts Boston on Thursday night, so White workload in his first week back will be watched closely.