NBA injury update: MKG could rejoin Charlotte Hornets this season

The Charlotte Hornets are struggling with injuries in the current season with centre Al Jefferson and forward Nicolas Batum missing games due to various injuries.

However, help could be on its way, with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, last season’s starting small forward, being cleared for “all non-contact” activities. He could rejoin the squad this season, according to reports.

Kidd-Gilchrist has been ruled “out for the season” after a shoulder injury in October last year, but his recovery appears to be faster as he is scheduled to join the team’s contract drills in a few weeks.

The original timetable for the recovery was six months, and if the forward stays on schedule, he may rejoin the Hornets in the latter part of the regular season or the playoffs, if they qualify.

Kidd-Gilchrist is also positive of his recovery from the shoulder injury and said that he will return to the lineup before the season is over.

“For sure. No question I’m going to play this season. I’m going to play. It’s a matter of when now.” Kidd-Gilchrist said to the Charlotte Observer. “I want to help my team win and I feel I can bring a lot of energy both on the offensive side and the defensive side. I just want to get back to what I love to do.

Hornets head coach Steve Clifford shared Kidd-Gilchrist’s optimism, describing his forward’s recovery as “so far, so good.”

In place of Kidd-Gilchrist, the Hornets have been using P.J. Hairston as the starting small forward for most of the 2015-2016 season.

Kidd-Gilchrist, who is in his fourth year in the league, averaged 10.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists last season for the Hornets, which are currently out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference with a 17-18 record.