Maybe only question for Hornets’ Washington; how will he adjust to that splint?
The question regarding Charlotte Hornets rookie P.J. Washington doesn’t appear to be if he’ll play Friday, but how effectively.
Washington, who started the first 28 games of his NBA career, missed the last five with a broken pinkie finger on his right hand. He practiced Thursday and participated in shootaround Friday without a setback. The Hornets list him as probable versus the Oklahoma City Thunder.
So probably the only question is how effective Washington will be with the protection he will wear on his shooting hand.
“I have a splint on it. So (the adjustment) is basically trying to shoot the ball with the splint,” Washington said after shootaround. “Just trying to get used to it and that takes some (repetition). I’ve been doing it the last couple of days.”
A lottery pick out of Kentucky, Washington broke his finger in the second half of a game at Chicago Dec. 13.
The Hornets were 1-4 without Washington. One of the things his absence illustrated is the value of Washington’s offensive versatility; He shoots 41% from 3-point range and is Charlotte’s best post-up option. While his 12.3 points-per-game average is tied for third among Hornets (with Miles Bridges), he provides important balance for a team heavily reliant on guards Devonte Graham and Terry Rozier for scoring.
“I think it’s fine,” Washington said of his readiness to be effective offensively. “Ir’s just a sling around one finger. Just tape it, and it will be good. It’s not too much to think about or worry about.”
Washington had surgery on the finger Dec. 16 in New York City. The Hornets had a heavy schedule the last month, but were off Monday through Thursday; their longest break from games so far this season.
In Washington’s absence, coach James Borrego started Cody Zeller at power forward, then started Nic Batum, which meant more time with Bridges playing Washington’s power forward position.
Borrego said Thursday he didn’t anticipate a minutes restriction on Washington when he comes back. The only thing that would limit Washington would be any conditioning he lost from inactivity. Since this wasn’t a lower-body injury, Washington was able to run throughout his recovery period, so he does not anticipate any limitation on his game shape.
This story was originally published December 27, 2019 at 12:11 PM with the headline "Maybe only question for Hornets’ Washington; how will he adjust to that splint?."
