Hornets' Kidd-Gilchrist could miss 'several weeks' with dislocated shoulder

Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's season is off to a painful start.

Kidd-Gilchrist dislocated his right shoulder in the Hornets' preseason opener on Saturday, the team announced.

Fortunately, X-rays were negative for breakages, but Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reports that the 22-year-old could miss several weeks.

The injury occurred with 46 seconds left in the second quarter. Kidd-Gilchrist lost his footing while maneuvering around a hand-off, which caused him to land on his shoulder.

The injury is a tough break for both Kidd-Gilchrist and the Hornets. The two sides converged on a four-year, $52-million extension in the offseason and head coach Steve Clifford had plans to start Kidd-Gilchrist alongside Nicolas Batum in a new-look Hornets roster.

Related: Hornets smart to lock up Kidd-Gilchrist ahead of breakout season

What the Hornets will miss most is Kidd-Gilchrist's pestering defense. The fourth-year forward is a shutdown defender and has plans to become the best defender of all time.

Kidd-Gilchrist also showed signs of improvement on what was once a dysfunctional jumpshot.

In Kidd-Gilchrist's absence, the Hornets could start inferior options in P.J. Hairston, Jeremy Lamb, or Marvin Williams to start on the wing.

Kidd-Gilchrist averaged 10.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks across 55 games last season.