less than a 0.1% chance<\/a> to qualify for the postseason. They’re also projected to finish the season with a 26-56 record, which puts them in the running for a top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery.<\/p>\nDraftKings posted a prop bet predicting which teams will participate in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament. The Hornets are one of the long shots on the board at +1800 odds to qualify for the Play-In Tournament.<\/p>\n
The Hornets are one of six teams at the bottom of DraftKings’ NBA futures board, with absurd long shot odds to win the 2022-23 championship at +100000.<\/p>\n
Tough-Guy Oubre Jr. Played Through Injury<\/h2>\n
There’s no shortage of tough guys in the NBA, and Oubre Jr. is one of them. Oubre Jr. suffered a ligament injury in his left hand during the first week of the season. Since it was an injury to his non-shooting hand, Oubre decided to play through the pain and postpone surgery until the off-season.<\/p>\n
Even with a sore left hand, Oubre Jr. is having his best season as a pro. He averages a career-high 20.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game this season. His 3-point shooting is down from last season at 30.8%, but he emerged as the Hornets’ second-best scorer behind LaMelo Ball.<\/p>\n
The Hornets had a positive outlook at the start of the 2022-23 season. In the two previous seasons, they qualified for the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament, but were eliminated and failed to secure the #8 seed. The Hornets rehired ex-coach Steve Clifford in an effort to shore up their defense and make strides to become a perennial playoff team.<\/p>\n
The hand injury kept Oubre Jr. out of the starting lineup in three out of the last four games, where he was listed with a “left hand strain.” The Hornets and Oubre Jr. finally opted for the surgical route. He will undergo surgery today, and expected to return sometime in February.<\/p>\n
Clifford will rely on backup guards James Bouknight (4.4 ppg) and Bryce McGowens (4.0 ppg) to fill in for Oubre.<\/p>\n