The Charlotte Hornets announced Monday that Coby White suffered a left calf strain during training camp and will not play at all during the preseason. White missed time with a left calf strain last season, according to CBS Sports.
White, 26, is now in jeopardy of starting the regular season on the inactive list, per the same report. The Hornets have not released a specific return timeline.
What The Hornets Announced
Charlotte’s announcement confirmed the location and nature of the injury but did not provide a return timeline. The 26-year-old guard dealt with the same injury last season.
White’s status for the regular season remains a projection pending further updates from the team.
Who Replaces Him In The Preseason
If White’s recovery extends beyond the preseason, Christian Anderson and Dennis Schroder are expected to see more playing time, according to CBS Sports. Schroder joined the Hornets this offseason after Charlotte acquired him from Cleveland, and he currently profiles as White’s primary backup at the position, per Sports Illustrated.
Both Anderson and Schroder are projected depth-chart options rather than confirmed starters, and Charlotte has not named a starting backcourt for its preseason slate.
Coby White’s Role With The Hornets
White enters his eighth NBA season and has taken on a larger leadership role for a Hornets roster that traded away longtime cornerstones LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, according to Sporting News. Teammates have pointed to his vocal presence in training camp as the Hornets lean on him alongside veterans like Schroder and Pat Connaughton.
Charlotte’s young core, led by Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, is expected to rely on White’s experience as the team continues its rebuild under coach Charles Lee.
What’s Next
The Hornets have not specified when White might return to practice or when the next update on his calf strain will come. His next realistic opportunity to play would be a regular-season game, though his status for that remains unconfirmed.
Reporting from CBS Sports, Sporting News and Sports Illustrated contributed to this story.
