ATLANTA — The Charlotte Hornets will be missing guard Brandon Miller for a minimum of one week due to a strained left glute.
Miller, one of the standout players on the team, was unable to continue after the injury sustained during the second half of the Hornets’ season-opening 110-105 win against Houston.
The team announced that he will be reevaluated in a week, which means he is likely to be sidelined for at least three upcoming games.

In addition to Miller’s absence, the Hornets were without starting center Mark Williams, who is dealing with a strained tendon in his left foot, while facing the Atlanta Hawks.
This situation brings to light the injury issues that have plagued the Hornets over the last two seasons, contributing to a lengthy playoff drought that has now reached eight years.

LaMelo Ball, regarded as the team’s best player, has only participated in 58 of the past 164 games due to recurring ankle injuries.
Despite these challenges, Ball made an impact with a 34-point performance against Houston, marking his return since January.

Miller, chosen as the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, demonstrated his potential last season by averaging 17.3 points and 4.3 rebounds during his rookie year.
First-year head coach Charles Lee acknowledged the need for a “total team effort” to compensate for Miller’s injury, emphasizing his significance on both ends of the court.

The Hornets will need to rally together and adapt as they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in the coming games without two key starters.