MOUSSA DIABATÉ NEWS

Upgraded to available Diabate (knee) is available for Friday's game against the Bulls.

Impact The expectation was that Diabate would be able to play through a knee problem, given that the Hornets upgraded him to probable earlier Friday. Over his last 11 games, the 23-year-old center has averaged 7.9 rebounds, 7.0 points, 1.7 assists and 0.7 blocks in 21.8 minutes per contest.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Expected to play Diabate (knee) is probable for Friday's game against the Bulls.

Impact Diabate was previously listed as questionable, but it sounds like he's set to return from a one-game absence. He's been battling this knee soreness for a while, so the Hornets may be mindful of his workload behind Ryan Kalkbrenner.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Iffy for Friday Diabate (knee) is questionable for Friday's game against the Bulls.

Impact Diabate is in danger of missing consecutive contests due to right knee soreness. The Hornets would really need to rely heavily upon Ryan Kalkbrenner at center if Diabate cannot play, and Mason Plumlee would likely remain in the rotation as the backup in this case.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Chicago faces Charlotte, looks to halt 7-game slide

Chicago enters the matchup with Charlotte after losing seven straight games

3 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Ruled out Sunday Diabate (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Nuggets, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Diabate is dealing with right knee soreness and will miss his first game of the season Sunday. With the big man sidelined, Mason Plumlee will likely see increased playing time behind Ryan Kalkbrenner. Diabate's next chance to play comes Friday against Chicago.

DECEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Sunday Diabate is questionable for Sunday's game against the Nuggets due to right knee soreness.

Impact This is a new injury for Diabate, but the center is considered day-to-day. If he's unable to give it a go, Ryan Kalkbrenner could have a higher floor in fantasy hoops, and Mason Plumlee could absorb some backup center minutes.

DECEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Won't start Friday Diabate won't start Friday against the Raptors.

Impact Ryan Kalkbrenner will rejoin the starting five Friday, pushing Diabate back to the second unit. The big man has averaged 7.4 points and 7.6 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per game over his last five outings off the bench.

DECEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Drawing start Wednesday Diabate is part of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Knicks.

Impact Diabate will supplant Ryan Kalkbrenner in the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest. In his only start this season, Diabate logged 15 points, 11 rebounds and one steal across 43 minutes of an overtime loss to Milwaukee -- a game Kalkbrenner was inactive for.

DECEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Only 18 minutes Friday Diabate produced four points (1-3 FG, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and two steals across 18 minutes during Friday's 123-116 victory over the Bulls.

Impact Diabate logged fewer than 20 minutes for the second straight game, something that should be monitored moving forward. Despite coming off the bench behind Ryan Kalkbrenner, Diabate has been able to carve out a meaningful role, averaging 9.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.8 combined steals and blocks in 22,5 minutes per game. He is worth rostering in specific situations, those being anywhere typical big-man stats are required.

NOVEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Double-doubles in defeat Diabate produced 12 points (4-4 FG, 4-4 FT), 11 rebounds and one assist in 25 minutes during Sunday's 113-110 loss to Atlanta.

Impact The 23-year-old center saw his usual playing time off the bench, though he split time with Mason Plumlee on Sunday due to Ryan Kalkbrenner (ankle) being sidelined. Diabate put together a productive performance, grabbing a game-high mark in rebounds en route to his sixth double-double on the campaign. While the big man doesn't normally get a ton of looks on the offensive end, he continues to provide value on the glass and has logged at least 20 minutes in nine straight games.

NOVEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Harden erupts for 55, Clippers rout Hornets 131-116 in Paul's likely last game in North Carolina

James Harden made 10 3-pointers and scored a franchise-record 55 points, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Charlotte Hornets 131-116 hours after 12-time All-Star point guard Ch...

NOVEMBER 22 • Associated Press

Splitting time at center Diabate recorded eight points (3-9 FG, 2-3 FT), 12 rebounds and three assists over 24 minutes during Wednesday's 127-118 loss to the Pacers.

Impact Diabate's 24 minutes of action were one shy of starting center Ryan Kalkbrenner's total against the Pacers. The two finished with similar stats Wednesday night, both bordering on a double-double. There's no indication that Diabete's role will fade, as he's averaging 10.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game across the month of November despite splitting time with Kalkbrenner.

NOVEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

The Hornets have already found their next Moussa Diabate After discovering and developing Moussa Diabate last season, the Charlotte Hornets may have found another two-way gem this year.

NOVEMBER 17 • SWARMANDSTING.COM

Efficient double-double Diabate closed Saturday's 109-96 loss to Oklahoma City with 13 points (6-7 FG, 1-1 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal over 24 minutes.

Impact Diabate moved back to the bench following the return of Ryan Kalkbrenner to the starting lineup, but the big man produced at both ends once again and delivered a second consecutive double-double. Diabate has five double-doubles on the season and could be a solid streaming option in some formats, particularly category-based leagues for managers looking to boost their rebounding numbers.

NOVEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren lead Thunder to 109-96 win over Hornets for 5th straight victory

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points and Chet Holmgren added 25 as the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder used a big third quarter to beat the Charlotte Hornets 109-96 fo...

NOVEMBER 16 • Associated Press

Antetokounmpo returns to help Bucks outlast Knueppel and Hornets, 147-134 in overtime

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points, 18 assists and seven rebounds in his return and the Bucks outlasted former Milwaukee high school star Kon Knueppel and the Charlotte Hornets 14...

NOVEMBER 15 • Associated Press

Moving to starting role Diabate is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Bucks.

Impact The Hornets will be without rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner (personal), so Diabate will start in his place. Diabate is averaging 9.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game off the bench this season. This will be his first start of the campaign.

NOVEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Snags 13 boards Diabate logged seven points (1-3 FG, 5-6 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 23 minutes during Wednesday's 111-100 victory over the Bucks.

Impact Diabate didn't offer much in terms of scoring production, but he led the Hornets on the boards with 13 rebounds, which marks a season high for the Michigan product. Despite coming off the bench in every game this season, Diabate has offered up reasonable contributions, averaging 9.8 points and 7.5 rebounds while knocking down 65.0 percent of his field-goal attempts through 11 appearances.

NOVEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Blocks three shots in loss Diabate supplied eight points (4-4 FG), three rebounds, one assist, three blocks and two steals over 29 minutes during Monday's 121-111 loss to the Lakers.

Impact Diabate has been one of the main contributors off the bench, leading the second unit in minutes played Monday and making all four of his field goal attempts. He also had a wonderful defensive performance, logging three blocks and two steals, improving his season averages in those respective categories to 1.5 blocks and 0.6 steals. Diabate will continue to split time at center with rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner, though it appears the latter's role as the starter is firmly established.

NOVEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Cruises to second double-double Diabate logged 17 points (7-9 FG, 3-3 FT), 12 rebounds and one block in 22 minutes during Sunday's 126-103 win over the Jazz.

Impact Diabate paced the Charlotte bench in scoring, doing all of his damage near the cylinder in the second and third quarters. He was also a force on the boards, pulling down six of his 12 boards on the offensive glass on the way to his second double-double of the young season. Diabate clearly outplayed starter Ryan Kalkbrenner on the night, who was held to two points, four rebounds, four steals and four blocks in 22 minutes.

NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Kon Knueppel's career-high 24 points helps Hornets to a 126-103 rout of Jazz

Miles Bridges scored 29 points, Kon Knueppel added a career-high 24 and the Charlotte Hornets routed the Utah Jazz 126-103 to snap a three-game skid

NOVEMBER 3 • Associated Press

Just misses double-double Diabate finished with 11 points (3-5 FG, 5-6 FT), nine rebounds and one assist over 19 minutes during Saturday's 122-105 loss to Minnesota.

Impact Diabate flirted with what would've been his second double-double of the season, but he's now corralled at least nine boards in three of his first six games. The fourth-year big man remains behind rookie second-rounder Ryan Kalkbrenner on the depth chart, but Diabate has been effective in a reserve role. He's averaged 10.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 19.8 minutes per contest, shooting 60.0 percent from the field.

NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Logs first double-double of season Diabate put up 12 points (4-9 FG, 4-5 FT), 10 rebounds, two blocks and an assist across 23 minutes in Sunday's 139-113 win over Washington.

Impact Diabate has been one of the more important players among the bench unit, as he and rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner continue to compete for minutes and potentially the starting job. If Diabate can continue to post performances like he did Sunday, he may be able to crack the starting lineup in the forseeable future.

OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Teases double-double off bench Diabate posted 13 points (5-7 FG, 3-4 FT), nine rebounds, one block and one steal in 21 minutes during Wednesday's 136-117 win over the Nets.

Impact Although he came off the bench in favor of rookie big man Ryan Kalkbrenner, Diabate was still effective from the second unit. The two centers will likely be jockeying for positioning as Charlotte's top big man throughout the year, and Diabate remains someone for fantasy managers to keep an eye on in the early stages of the season.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE