Jeremy Lin Injury: Updates on Hornets Guard's Back and Return

Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin had been out since March 26 due to a sore lower back. However, he is ready to return to the lineup.

Continue for updates.

Lin Active vs. 76ers 

Friday, April 1 

The Hornets announced Lin will play against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.

---

Lin Proving to Be Valuable Contributor for Hornets

Lin signed with the Hornets this past offseason after spending one campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he has provided quality depth to a backcourt that also boasts Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum.

With per-game averages of 11.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists prior to the injury, the Harvard alum is a big reason why Charlotte has established itself as a potential contender in the Eastern Conference.

Perhaps his most notable performance came in a shocking, come-from-behind win over the San Antonio Spurs on March 21, in which he put the Spurs' formidable bench to shame, per ESPN Stats & Info:

That showing prompted Jay Mohr of Fox Sports Radio to heap praise on the underrated guard:

Although Lin has struggled to reach the acclaim he gained as a member of the New York Knicks in 2011-12, he has developed into a serviceable NBA player.

He is well-traveled, as evidenced by stints with the Golden State Warriors, Knicks, Houston Rockets, Lakers and Hornets, but he seems to have finally found a home in Charlotte.

According to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times, Lin believes he has meshed well with head coach Steve Clifford during his time with the Hornets thus far.

"I want to keep growing as a player," Lin said. "I've learned a lot here already, just under his system and his defense stuff. He's really good."

While Lin hasn't dealt with many significant injuries over the course of his career, this isn't the first time he has been banged up this season.

He previously left the team's Jan. 27 game against the Utah Jazz with an ankle sprain. Per Brittany Copeland of KSL-TV, though, Clifford wrote it off as a minor issue:

Lin is an offensive spark plug who has seemingly made defensive strides under Clifford, and Charlotte doesn't have another player of his ilk. 

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.