Nicolas Batum Illness: Updates on Hornets Forward's Status and Return

Charlotte Hornets swingman Nicolas Batum left the game against the Orlando Magic on Dec. 16 with an illness, according to the team's public relations department. However, he has been cleared to return to the court.

Continue for updates.

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Batum Returns vs. Wizards

Saturday, Dec. 19

Batum recorded 14 points in 32 minutes against the Washington Wizards.

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Batum Illness Not Serious Concern for Hornets

Since it's merely an illness, this shouldn't be considered much more than a minor ailment. And considering his lengthy injury history, that's a positive thing.

Batum appeared in 71 games during his final season with the Portland Trail Blazers, but he didn't look like himself.

Beyond nagging lower-back pain, Batum was hounded by a torn ligament in his right shooting wrist that caused his numbers to plummet. When the 2014-15 season came to a close, the Frenchman had averaged 9.4 points on a career-worst 40 percent shooting from the field and 32.4 percent shooting from distance.

In his first season with the Hornets, Batum has watched his numbers skyrocket. Twenty-three games into a fresh slate, Charlotte's big offseason acquisition is averaging 16.5 points while shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from three.

The Hornets traded for Batum to try to stabilize a group of wings that ranked 30th in three-point percentage during the 2014-15 season, so having him available to hold down the fort on the wing will be imperative all season long.