Charlotte Hornets vs Denver Nuggets: preview and player stats

Injury/Illness - Left Hamstring Strain (2026-11-12, CHA@PHX). Prior reporting (2026-11-08): Knueppel (hamstring) was diagnosed with a left hamstring strain Sunday and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. Knueppel missed the first eight games of the 2026-27 campaign. He returned for the 114-104 loss to Brooklyn on Wednesday, though he exited the contest after just six minutes of work and didn't return. With Knueppel out of commission for at least a month, Grayson Allen and Sion James are candidates to replace him in the starting lineup, especially with Dennis Schroder (hamstring) sidelined for a minimum of two weeks.

Injury/Illness - Right Quadriceps Tendinopathy (2026-11-12, CHA@PHX). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): Diabate (quadriceps) is listed as probable for Thursday's game against the Suns. Diabate is expected to return from a two-game absence Thursday, which would leave fewer minutes available for Ryan Kalkbrenner. Through nine regular-season games, Diabate has averaged 8.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.9 blocks in 28.8 minutes per tilt.

Injury/Illness - Right Hip Strain (2026-11-12, CHA@PHX). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): Miller (groin) is listed as out for Thursday's game against Phoenix. Miller injured his groin during the 119-80 loss to Boston on Friday and subsequently missed Monday's meeting with Cleveland. Now that Miller is confirmed to be sidelined for a second consecutive contest, Sion James is the favorite to remain in the starting lineup.

Injury/Illness - Right Hamstring Strain (2026-11-12, CHA@PHX). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): Williams (hamstring) is listed as probable for Thursday's game against the Suns. Williams is trending toward making his season debut Thursday after battling a right hamstring strain. However, the veteran forward isn't guaranteed to see meaningful playing time once he returns.

Injury/Illness - Left Hamstring Strain (2026-11-12, CHA@PHX). Prior reporting (2026-11-08): Schroder has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and will be reevaluated in two weeks, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com reports. Schroder, who missed Friday's game due to what was described as a left thigh injury, has been diagnosed with a hamstring strain. He is set to be reevaluated in two weeks, suggesting he will miss at least the next five games. Christian Anderson and Sion James could see extra minutes with Schroder sidelined.

G League - On Assignment (2026-11-12, CHA@PHX).

G League - Two-Way (2026-11-12, CHA@PHX).

G League - Two-Way (2026-11-12, CHA@PHX).

Strawther (knee) was diagnosed with a left knee sprain Friday and will be re-evaluated in six weeks, Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette reports. Strawther suffered the injury in Wednesday's preseason game against the Clippers. The 24-year-old has appeared in 172 regular-season games for the Nuggets since entering the league in 2023, averaging 7.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists over 16.2 minutes per contest. He was in line to compete for an expanded role during the 2026-27 campaign. While that may be the case once Strawther is cleared to suit up, Tyus Jones and potentially Ryan Nembhard are candidates to receive more minutes in the interim.