Charlotte Hornets Declare Gordon Hayward Out For Tuesday's Game Against Phoenix Suns

The Charlotte Hornets will be without their star forward for Tuesday's showdown with the Phoenix Suns. Gordon Hayward will miss his 26th game of the season as he recuperates from a hamstring injury.

Addition to the injury report: Gordon Hayward (left hamstring strain) is out. https://t.co/0KUTCc1GMA
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) January 24, 2023

Heyward has averaged 13.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game over 23 appearances this season. The one-time All Star has struggled to recapture the magic that made him a prized free agent in 2017 since breaking his foot in the opening game of the 2017-2018 season: he has started fewer than 53 games in each of his past six seasons.

At 13-35, the Hornets are 14th in the Eastern Conference and one of the worst teams in the NBA. They're firmly out of contention and should begin doing everything they can to best position themselves for what could be a transformational NBA Draft. That includes resting injured players and shutting down stars at every opportunity.

The Hornets host the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.