The Hornets will be without starting point guard Chris Paul for at least two weeks with a severely sprained left ankle. Paul has played in 10 games (all starts) this season for the Hornets and he is averaging 34.0 minutes, 23.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Paul was the player the Hornets could least afford to lose on this team because he’s the guy that makes everything go. Rookie Darren Collison will likely replace Paul in the starting lineup and that’s a lot to ask of a rookie. Collison has played in 6 games (0 starts) this season for the Hornets and he is averaging 11.8 minutes, 6.5 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He does have a nice upside but he will have a lot of pressure on him to produce right away. Veteran Bobby Brown will also likely see a bump in playing time with Paul out of action. Brown has played in 9 games (0 starts) for the Hornets so far this season and he is averaging 17.6 minutes, 7.9 points, 0.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. The Hornets have to hope that Paul makes a real quick recovery.

Rookie guard Adam Haluska will miss up to the next two months for the Hornets with a severely sprained ankle. Haluska hurt his ankle in practice which has been his only action this season as he has yet to play in a game. The veteran Hornets won’t miss Haluska much while he’s out.

Starting center Tyson Chandler is out indefinately with a serious toe injury.  It hurts him to even walk.  He could return if the Hornets make the playoffs, but they’ll have to do that without him.  He played in 73 games this season and he averaged 9.5 points, 12.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 1.8 blocks per game.  He also shot an amazing 62.4% from the floor, but most of his shots were put-backs and dunks.  He will be hard to replace especially on the defensive end of the basketball court.

The Hornets didn’t really need something like this to happen as they are battling tooth and nail for the final spot in the Western Conference Playoffs.  Desmond Mason will miss the remainder of the regular season after having surgery to repair a broken nose.  He could return at some point if the Hornets make the playoffs.  He played in 75 games this season and he averaged 34.3 minutes, 13.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

Stojakovic has been practicing with the team and he may return to action as soon as next week.  The Bobcats really need him because he’s their best outside shooter.  Having him back would open the paint even more for David West and Tyson Chandler.  He has only played in 13 games this season and he has averaged 32.7 minutes, 17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game this season.  Peja has hit 40.5% of his 3-pointers this season and 81.6% of his free throws as he is an excellent shooter.  The Hornets really need him if they are going to make a legit push for the playoffs.