The Charlotte Hornets are currently walking the line of playoff bubble much thanks to their top defensive unit. Injuries have hit the roster hard in recent weeks, but the Hornets remain with the No. 1 scoring defense in the league since the start of the new year. However, injuries to Kemba Walker, Al Jefferson and Marvin Williams could be incredibly hard to overcome as they prepare to play the Washington Wizards.
The Hornets are currently thriving on defense remaining one of the stingiest units allowing just 89.4 points per game from opponents while they shoot 39.7 percent overall. Players like Lance Stephenson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist are helping with the turnaround after they ranked 20th last season allowing 100.4 points while opponents shot 46.1 percent from the field. They are also holding opponents to shooting just 31.9 percent from beyond the arc since the start of the new year. However, the injuries to the roster could be what holds them back for the long haul.
Walker is likely out for the remainder of the regular season. The point guard underwent knee surgery and is expected out indefinitely. However, Charlotte is a surprising 5-1 since Walker went down with an injury. Jefferson is expected to return soon as well which could be what the Hornets need to come back into the postseason.
The Wizards are trending in the opposite direction. They now sit with a four-game losing streak while being 4-6 overall in their last 10 games. The team fell to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday despite John Wall and Bradley Beal shooting a combined 47 percent. They now sit 10 games back from the Hawks in the division.
The Wizards have struggled against the Hornets in recent years. Charlotte has held Washington to an average of 88.0 points while being on a four-game win streak against the team. Wall is averaging just 13.3 points against the team on 29.2 shooting percent. He has made one 3-point shot over their last three meetings. Bradley Beal is putting up just 16.0 points against the team.
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