The Charlotte Hornets Nicolas Batum recently tore ligaments in his left elbow that may require surgery. As reported earlier on Def Pen, he is likely to miss 8-12 weeks with surgery.
According to Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer, Batum has said that he will look to get a second opinion on the option of surgery.
Batum says that because the injury is to the elbow opposite his shooting hand, he should have no problem expediently returning to the court. Batum doesn’t see his time away extended past “three months.”
Following from The Charlotte Observer:
However, Batum told the Observer Friday he does not believe this injury – suffered Wednesday in a preseason exhibition against the Detroit Pistons – will be season-ending.
“It’s going to be long, but not that long,” Batum said, following a dedication ceremony for basketball courts the Hornets refurbished off Tuckaseegee Road. “If it were my shooting arm, it would be a lot longer. At max, it’s three months.”
Batum has long been an essential piece to what the Hornets like to do on both ends of the court. The Hornets have playoff ambitions this season and getting their swingman back to health as quickly as possible will make that easier.
The team drafted Malik Monk fifth overall in the 2017 NBA draft.
In the wake of Batum’s injury, this may provide the perfect opportunity for the former Kentucky Wildcat to get some playing time. If he can contribute until Batum returns, he could have increased his chances of making an All-Rookie team while keeping the team’s playoff hopes alive.
Batum averaged 15 points, 5.9 assists, and six rebounds last season for Charlotte. Before arriving in Charlotte during the 2015-2016 season, Batum played seven seasons with the Portland Trailblazers.
