Spencer Hawes Injury: Updates on Hornets C's Back and Return

Charlotte Hornets center Spencer Hawes has been out since Feb. 18 with a back strain. It is unclear when he will return to the lineup. 

Continue for updates.

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Latest on Hawes' Practice Status

Sunday, March 6

Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reported "Hawes was able to do some shooting at the end of [practice, which was his] first activity since injuring his back." 

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Hawes' Absence Delivers Another Blow to Hornets Frontcourt

Hawes is averaging 6.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in his first year with the Hornets coming off the bench.   

The Hornets frontcourt will have to wait a little while longer to get back together and healthy. Center Al Jefferson returned Feb. 19, which was his first appearance for the team since Dec. 28 when he suffered a knee injury that required surgery. 

Elsewhere on the frontcourt, small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's season ended when he tore his labrum after appearing in just seven games this year.

It was Cody Zeller and Hawes holding down the center position while Jefferson recovered. Hawes, though, hasn't contributed much in his 19.1 minutes per game. 

In fact, it hasn't been a good two seasons for Hawes, who had a stop in Los Angeles with the Clippers before heading to Charlotte.  

2007-14	Stat	2014-16
9.7	Points Per Game	5.9
6.4	Rebounds Per Game	3.9
46.5	Field-Goal Percentage	39.8

However, he and Jefferson were the subject of trade rumors, as the Hornets were going for a big name at the center position. According to the New York Daily News' Frank Isola, the Hornets offered Jefferson and Hawes to the Houston Rockets for Dwight Howard. 

With Hawes shelved, a healthy Jefferson and Zeller will be the men to control the center position.

For a team that is fighting to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, Charlotte will need its frontcourt to pick up some slack.

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.