Moussa Diabate

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.

The Hornets are without LaMelo Ball and Collin Sexton for Sunday's game, so Simpson has received the starting nod. While his season-long production has not made him worth the risk in fantasy leagues, the opportunity to start raises Simpson's fantasy ceiling. The other four starters are unchanged, and Kalkbrenner's playing time may increase with Moussa Diabate unavailable.

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.