Mason Plumlee

Initially questionable for Friday's game, Diabate was upgraded to probable earlier in the day. He's now officially available to play, which will impact the Hornets' center rotation. Mason Plumlee will likely fall out of the rotation entirely, but this does not affect fantasy basketball.

Diabate sat out Sunday's matchup with Denver, which allowed Mason Plumlee to join the rotation. With Diabate expected to play, he could reclaim his role as Charlotte's primary backup center, leaving fewer minutes available for Plumlee.

Diabate has been hobbled by a sore right knee, most recently sitting out Sunday's loss to the Nuggets. Mason Plumlee played rotation minutes off the bench, serving as Ryan Kalkbrenner's backup. If Diabate can play on Friday, Plumlee will likely fall out of the rotation entirely.

Diabate has been downgraded from questionable to out, which means Ryan Kalkbrenner will retain his place in the starting lineup. Mason Plumlee should play rotation minutes as the backup center, but that is not a good spot to find fantasy value. Leave him on the waiver wire.

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.