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.
| MK"J" | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FG% | 45.80% | 47.30% | 46.50% |
| 3FG | 2/9/2015 | 1/9/2015 | 0/0 |
| All Catch-and-Shoot | n/a | 26.50% | 36.50% |
| All Pullups | n/a | 37.50% | 40.70% |
| 10-16 feet | 14.30% | 15.40% | 50.00% |
| 16+ feet | 30.40% | 30.00% | 37.10% |
| "Open" or "Wide Open" 10+ feet" | n/a | 32.10% | 40.80% |
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.