Nuggets vs. Hornets: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
NBA Champion, Ish Smith, gets to start against the Denver Nuggets tonight
How fun! – 6:39 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
No Terry Rozier after all tonight. Here’s your #Hornets starting lineup: pic.twitter.com/PhsI8wGRix – 6:37 PM

Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Going LIVE from the Pregame Lounge!
Nuggets-Hornets
📺 Tune in: youtube.com/watch?v=lpgig9… pic.twitter.com/yTSlWlaDBJ – 6:30 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
I’d say this qualifies as a good sign. Asked Steve Clifford about him pregame. He’s making progress. Full thoughts from the coach on the #Hornets starting center coming shortly. pic.twitter.com/xdIKLQt3Gv – 5:59 PM

Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Without Kawhi Leonard for second straight game, Clippers are routed at home by Celtics, 145-108. Celtics hit 25 3-pointers. Clippers have two days off to get some much-needed rest before facing Hornets on Tuesday. – 5:50 PM

Katy Winge @katywinge
Ish Smith reunion in Charlotte 🥹 pic.twitter.com/z8zOTarF8o – 5:48 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
Terry Rozier is on the court trying to see if he can play through the soreness. Tipoff against Denver is 90 minutes away. pic.twitter.com/MTcSWB1xMa – 5:37 PM

Spencer Percy @QCHspencer
Johnell Davis is Terry Rozier. It’s pretty crazy. – 5:28 PM

James Plowright @British_Buzz
Cody Martin is back, but Terry Rozier is now “Questionable” with right knee soreness.
Full injury report details 🔗
si.com/nba/hornets/ga… – 5:25 PM

James Plowright @British_Buzz
Cody Martin is back, but Terry Rozier is not “Questionable” with right knee soreness.
Full injury report details 🔗
si.com/nba/hornets/ga… – 5:24 PM

Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Josh Hart: “We lost. Stats don’t really mean shit when we’re losing. I don’t think anybody can tell me how many points Jokic or Murray or Porter Jr. avg’d last year. But they got a f–king ring. .. We can’t play to get stats. We got to play for wins.”
nydailynews.com/2023/12/23/kni… – 5:20 PM

James Plowright @British_Buzz
Steve Clifford on Mark Williams
“He’s moving around a lot better the last couple of days, he’s feeling a lot better. I don’t know how close he is.” – 5:20 PM

James Plowright @British_Buzz
Steve Clifford on Nick Smith Jr “Nick Smith is more of a wing player than a point guard. I think eventually he can do both, but his strength is his scoring.” – 5:18 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
Cody Martin is available tonight to make his season debut. Terry Rozier has been added to the injury list with right knee soreness. Mark Williams remains out. – 5:17 PM

James Plowright @British_Buzz
Cody Martin is Active Tonight
“It can be such a positive for our team, he’s worked so hard… I think he’s anxious to get out there and we’re anxious to have him back” – Steve Clifford Pre-Game – 5:17 PM

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Even with missing Jamal Murray for half the year, the Nuggets rank 3rd in schedule adjusted Net Rating on Dunks and Threes.
That’s a pretty good sign. pic.twitter.com/iqX0BdQ7D1 – 4:58 PM

James Plowright @British_Buzz
I’m presuming Cody Martin plays tonight. After an extended absence why would you raise expectations with a “Questionable” tag unless he’s playing. Speculation on my part. – 3:48 PM

BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Svetislav Pesic talked about the criteria behind selecting the Serbian NT squad 🇷🇸
He also made a special reference to Milos Teodosic and Nikola Jokic: basketne.ws/3RRzvOm
basketnews.com/news-199318-pe… – 3:22 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Gettin’ hype before the game.
#LetsFly35 pic.twitter.com/yc3p8gyERM – 2:41 PM

Vinny Benedetto @VBenedetto
I got you all a Nuggets injury report for the holidays:
Aaron Gordon – probable – right heel strain
Vlatko Cancar – out – left knee surgery
LaMelo Ball, Frank Ntilikina and Amari Bailey are out for Charlotte. Mark Williams is doubtful, and Cody Martin is questionable. – 1:39 PM