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Shorthanded Hornets Face Rockets Without Bridges, Diabate

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Abdulqudus Babatunde | Last updated Feb 19, 2026 3:19 PM ET

The Charlotte Hornets will take the court Thursday night against the Houston Rockets in a significantly different form than their last meeting.

Shorthanded Hornets Face Rockets Without Bridges, Diabate

Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate remain suspended following their roles in the February 9th brawl with the Detroit Pistons, forcing the Hornets to rely on depth pieces and G-League call-ups.

The NBA handed down four-game suspensions to both Bridges and Diabate for fighting and escalating the altercation with the Pistons. Both Bridges and Diabate will miss their second game of the suspension tonight, and they won’t return until the February 24th game against the Chicago Bulls.

The suspensions couldn’t have come at a worse time for Charlotte. Bridges has been a key contributor, averaging 18.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season. Diabate also provides crucial energy and great rebounding ability.

The G-League Reinforcements

In response to the suspensions, the Hornets recalled Tidjane Salaun and added PJ Hall from the Greensboro Swarm. Both players saw action in Charlotte’s 110-107 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, their first game without Bridges and Diabate.

PJ Hall made the most of his opportunity. The rookie center posted 11 points and 10 rebounds in just 17 minutes off the bench, recording his first career double-double. Hall’s performance showed he can provide the rebounding and interior presence the Hornets desperately need with their frontcourt depleted.

Salaun, the sixth overall pick in the 2024 draft, has bounced between the NBA and G-League this season. He provides versatility and youth, though his role remains limited in the Hornets’ rotation.

Feb 11, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets center PJ Hall (16) handles the ball against Atlanta Hawks forward Asa Newell (14) during first quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Rockets Challenge

Tonight’s matchup represents a significant test for Charlotte’s depleted roster. The Rockets enter 33-20 and fourth in the Western Conference, sporting one of the league’s best rebounding teams at 48.6 boards per game.

Led by Kevin Durant (25.8 PPG) and Alperen Sengun (20.7 PPG, 9.4 RPG), Houston presents matchup problems the Hornets will struggle to solve without their full frontcourt. Durant’s length and scoring versatility makes him nearly impossible to defend, while Sengun’s interior dominance could exploit Charlotte’s thin frontline.

The Hornets did beat these same Rockets 109-99 on February 6th, but that was with a fully healthy roster. Bridges scored 18 points in that victory, and Diabate provided crucial defensive minutes. Without them, Charlotte will need different heroes.

Keys to Victory

LaMelo Ball, who was involved in minor car collision yesterday, must carry the offensive load. He’s averaging 19.3 points and 7.4 assists this season and has been brilliant during Charlotte’s recent surge. The Hornets need him at his best to have any chance against Houston’s length and athleticism.

Brandon Miller continues his breakout season, averaging 20.6 PPG. His scoring punch will be essential with Bridges out. Miller needs another 25-plus point performance to keep Charlotte competitive.

Kon Knueppel has been a revelation as a rookie, posting 18.9 points per game and winning Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month three consecutive times. His three-point shooting (42%) spaces the floor and creates driving lanes for Ball and Miller.

The rebounding battle will be crucial. Houston leads the NBA in rebounds, while Charlotte now lacks their primary rebounders. PJ Hall, Grant Williams and Ryan Kalkbrenner must crash the glass relentlessly to give the Hornets extra possessions.

The Bigger Picture

This game carries playoff implications for Charlotte. At 26-29 and ninth in the East, the Hornets are fighting for a Play-In Tournament spot. They beat the Hawks without Bridges and Diabate, but the Rockets present a much tougher challenge.

The Hornets have won 10 of their last 11 games, but that streak included their full roster. How they perform shorthanded against quality Western Conference will reveal whether recent success can withstand adversity.

Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM ET at Spectrum Center. The Hornets’ next-man-up mentality faces its stiffest test yet against a Rockets team that owns the league’s best rebounding and a pair of stars in Durant and Sengun.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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