ATLANTA (AP) — The Charlotte Hornets will be without guard Brandon Miller, one of the team’s best players, for at least a week with a strained left hip muscle.

After the injury, Miller could not play in the second half for the Hornets. 110-105 win We are in Houston for the opening of the season. The Hornets said before Friday night’s game at Atlanta that Miller would be evaluated within a week, meaning the high-scoring guard is expected to miss at least three games.

The Hornets also played against the Hawks without starting center Mark Williams, who suffered a strained tendon in his left foot. Missing two starters for only the second game of the season was a painful reminder of the injury problems that have persisted over the past two seasons and helped extend the team’s playoff drought to eight years.

The team’s best player, point guard LaMelo BallHe could only play in 58 of the 164 matches he played in the last two seasons due to his ankle injury. Ball scored 34 points against Houston in his first game since January.

Miller, who was selected with the second pick in the 2023 draft, averaged 17.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in his rookie season.

First-year Hornets coach Charles Lee said it will take a “complete team effort” to fill the void left by Miller’s injury. “He brings a lot to both ends of the field.”

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