Ryan Kalkbrenner

Kalkbrenner injured his ankle during Wednesday's loss to the Knicks and exited in the fourth quarter. Moussa Diabate was the starting center in that contest, and he could retain the role on Friday, even if Kalkbrenner is available. If Kalkbrenner does not play, there may be times when the Hornets go small and give Tidjane Salaun a few more minutes off the bench, leaving Mason Plumlee out of the rotation entirely.

Kalkbrenner is questionable for Friday's game against the Raptors with a left ankle contusion.

Kalkbrenner did not start Wednesday's game, with Moussa Diabate (two points, eight rebounds, two assists and one steal in 20 minutes) replacing him in the starting lineup. While the rookie still played more minutes, logging 25, his night ended prematurely due to a sprained left ankle. As a result, another start could be in the cards for Diabate. As for who would round out the rotation if Kalkbrenner misses time, Tidjane Salaun (13 points, four rebounds, one steal and three three-pointers) was the choice to replace Diabate after he picked up two early fouls, not Kalkbrenner.

Hornets coach Charles Lee said Kalkbrenner sprained his left ankle during Wednesday's 119-104 loss to the Knicks.

Wednesday's start will be the first for Diabate since November 14, and the lineup change raises his fantasy ceiling. His promotion comes at the expense of Ryan Kalkbrenner, who will still see solid time off the bench. However, Kalkbrenner is more valuable to fantasy managers when he's starting.