Grant Williams was upgraded from out to day-to-day on Friday with a right hamstring injury, but the Hornets say he will miss the entire preseason. His expected return is Oct. 21, putting his status for the Oct. 6 game against the Nets in doubt.
What happened
Williams' designation changed from out to day-to-day on Friday, Sept. 25 at 7:18 p.m. ET, with the issue logged as a hamstring injury in his right leg. The Hornets announced Friday that Williams will miss the preseason after suffering the right hamstring injury. He had been listed as out earlier the same day with the same hamstring designation before the status was updated. His expected return is Oct. 21.
What it means for the Hornets
Charlotte opens its schedule against the Nets on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7:00 p.m. ET, with Williams' expected return date of Oct. 21 falling after that game. Last season Williams played 36 games at 19.8 minutes, averaging 7.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists. In games without him, the Hornets have leaned on Brandon Miller (30.3 minutes, 20.2 points), LaMelo Ball (28.0 minutes, 20.1 points), Miles Bridges (31.0 minutes, 17.1 points) and Kon Knueppel (31.5 minutes, 18.5 points), with Moussa Diabate (26.0 minutes) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (21.4 minutes) also seeing extended run. The Hornets are 0-0, with the 2026-27 season not yet underway.
What to watch
The Hornets' next injury report will show whether Williams' day-to-day status changes ahead of the Oct. 6 opener against the Nets. His expected return is Oct. 21. Charlotte is also monitoring Kon Knueppel (day-to-day, left hamstring), Brandon Miller (day-to-day, left shoulder) and PJ Hall (day-to-day, right ankle) on the same report.
Is Grant Williams playing vs Nets?
Not announced as a certainty, but unlikely. The Hornets say Williams will miss the preseason with his right hamstring injury, and his expected return date of Oct. 21 comes after the Oct. 6 game against the Nets.
When will Grant Williams be back?
His expected return is Oct. 21, 2026, according to the Hornets. He is currently listed as day-to-day with a right hamstring injury after being out earlier the same day.