Knueppel injured: big blow for the Hornets
This time the whole arena went silent. Kon Knueppel, rookie sensation and already the unexpected engine of the Hornets’ revival, collapses after a dodgy landing. End of the second quarter in Orlando. Contested aerial duel. Badly controlled landing. His right ankle twisted on a defender’s foot. The play lasted a second, but it froze the whole night.
The young wing tries to jog it off — two steps, a grimace, then a wave to the bench. Those tiny gestures tell you everything, even when you’re pretending to be tough. Charlotte still escaped and left Florida with a precious win, but the image of Knueppel escorted by trainers drowned everything else. His energy already lifts this team. His maturity surprises. Losing him, even briefly, would be a real step back for a franchise finally poking its head above water.
Early signs are at least reassuring. According to Charles Lee, via Rod Boone of the Charlotte Observer, X‑rays came back negative. Injury avoided — just a sprain. It’s never great news, but among the possibilities it’s almost a relief. Now it’s about the timeline. About how his body reacts. About managing the frenzy around a rookie already a serious ROY candidate.
Sengun uncertain, Houston watching the slightest sign
Further west, Houston’s got a cloud over them too. Alperen Sengun, one of the most creative big men in the league, is dealing with tightness in his left calf. Nothing obvious in games, but enough to make him questionable for Cleveland. The Turk had already been listed as questionable against the Lakers two days earlier before being cleared to play. No reason to sound the alarm yet, but you don’t improvise with a player putting up 22,7 points, 9,4 rebounds and nearly 7 assists in 35 minutes a night.
Houston has real ambitions this season. Sengun is the key. Caution is logical, even if the player hates being put on pause.
Fox sidelined, San Antonio holding its breath
San Antonio didn’t need this. De’Aaron Fox, newly arrived and already the locker‑room leader, is dealing with a left adductor issue. Nothing massive, but the stiffness is real, which makes him questionable for the Jazz game. The timing stings. The Spurs were coming off three straight wins, their best run in ages, and Fox had been the metronome.
He’d already missed the first eight games of the season with hamstring trouble and had finally found his rhythm. San Antonio is just starting to breathe. This little setback makes you wince, even if it’s probably just a minor detour.
Dallas holds Davis, caution wins the day
In Dallas the story right now is Anthony Davis. The star, arriving into an already electric situation, felt groin pain during the loss to Golden State. Shams Charania talked about several games out, while the Mavs’ official report still listed him as questionable for the trip to Sacramento.
The Davis case is always a delicate balance. We know him. We know how crucial he is to a team aiming very high. Dallas is walking a fine line between ambition and necessary protection.
The Heat protects Butler, of course
Miami also chose to ease off. Jimmy Butler missed Friday’s game against Atlanta, officially due to lower back soreness. Erik Spoelstra said it bluntly before tip‑off: better to manage it now. The Heat had lost eight of nine. The timing was critical. And Butler remains the emotional engine of a team that often lives on a wire.
Miami answered with a strong win. A reminder that there’s still margin, but it evaporates fast without their boss.
The season rolls on and bodies are already fraying. Late December always feels like the first checkpoint. It’s when contenders tweak load and when surprises have to prove they can take the hits. And this week, clearly, plenty of teams put the brakes on.
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