Nicolas Batum Injury: Updates on Hornets Forward's Ankle and Return

Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum had been held out of the lineup since he suffered a left ankle sprain in Game 2 against the Miami Heat on April 20. However, he has been cleared to return to the court.

Continue for updates.

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Batum Active vs. Heat

Wednesday, April 27

Head coach Steve Clifford announced Batum will be active against the Heat in Game 5, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He will be coming off the bench, reported Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. 

Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com reported on April 21 that Batum was expected to miss the remainder of the series.

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Clifford Comments on Batum's Injury

Wednesday, April 20

Clifford told reporters following the injury that he was "very concerned" about Batum. 

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Batum's Scoring Crucial to Hornets 

Batum, 27, averaged 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game for the Hornets in 2015-16. He was the team's second-leading scorer behind Kemba Walker and led the team in assists per game. He established himself as the team's most well-rounded player and one of its primary playmakers.

Charlotte acquired Batum in June 2015 in the trade that sent Gerald Henderson and Noah Vonleh to the Portland Trail Blazers. Henderson and Vonleh both came off the bench for Portland as role players this season, while Batum helped to solidify the wing in Charlotte and became a vital piece during the team's run to the postseason.

Indeed, with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist playing just seven games this season because of injury, Batum stepped up at small forward in a big way, while Courtney Lee slid over to shooting guard after the team acquired him midseason. 

Batum's presence provides a major lift to Charlotte's chances in the postseason. With Batum back in the lineup, Jeremy Lamb can go back to his usual duties and Walker should have some of the pressure taken off of him offensively.

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