Hornets' KJ Simpson: Struggles offensively in loss
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Simpson closed with two points (1-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt), five rebounds, five assists and two steals in 32 minutes during Sunday's 93-86 loss to the Celtics.
Simpson failed to make an impact on the offensive end of the floor in the Hornets' regular-season finale Sunday, scoring two points while missing five of the six shots he attempted. The rookie guard's year ends, averaging 7.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, shooting 34.6 percent from the floor and 25.4 percent from beyond the arc.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Decent stat line in loss
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Simpson provided 13 points (6-10 FG, 1-4 3Pt), one rebound, four assists and one steal across 33 minutes during Friday's 125-102 loss to the Kings.
Simpson has claimed the role of starting point guard once LaMelo Ball was shut down for the rest of the season due to wrist and ankle injuries. While his numbers haven't set the world on fire, he's looking competent while handling a more significant responsibility on offense. Simpson has scored in double digits in three of his last five starts, averaging 11.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game. The lack of efficiency could be an issue, though, as he's shooting just 39.3 percent from the floor and 30.8 percent from deep in that span.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Across-the-board production
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Simpson totaled 10 points (4-13 FG, 2-8 3Pt), eight rebounds, six assists, one block and two steals in 32 minutes during Monday's 110-106 victory over Utah.
Simpson started for the third straight game, delivering another intriguing performance. With LaMelo Ball having been ruled out for the season due to ankle and wrist injuries, Simpson appears to have secured the starting role. Over the past three games, he has averaged 11.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.0 three-pointers.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Starting sans Ball
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Simpson is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Raptors.
With LaMelo Ball (ankle/wrist) out for the season, Simpson will draw the start Friday and offer some streaming value. Simpson has averaged 12.4 points, 4.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 31.7 minutes over five games as a starter this season.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Starting sans Ball
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Simpson will start in Friday's game against the Thunder.
The 22-year-old point guard will receive the starting nod due to LaMelo Ball (ankle) being sidelined. Simpson has recorded four starts on the season, averaging 13.0 points, 4.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals across 31.8 minutes per contest.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Scores 16 points in spot start
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Simpson registered 16 points (7-18 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, two assists and two steals across 36 minutes during Tuesday's 128-92 loss to the Warriors.
Simpson drew the start at point guard with LaMelo Ball (ankle), and the rookie responded with his best scoring total of the season. The Colorado product was beginning to see more time before the All-Star break, but Ball's return to action kept him off the floor for five consecutive games. Simpson has only appeared in 22 games, so he is well below his current contract restrictions and should remain with the team until the end of the season.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Starting sans Ball
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Simpson will enter the starting lineup in Tuesday's game against the Warriors.
With LaMelo Ball (ankle) on the shelf, Simpson will draw his third start of the year. The 22-year-old point guard accumulated 25 points, nine assists, four rebounds and two steals across 60 total minutes in his previous two starts.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Career-high nine rebounds in loss
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Simpson supplied nine points (3-12 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), nine rebounds, four assists and one steal across 30 minutes during Monday's 97-89 loss to the Nets.
Simpson struggled with his shooting in Monday's loss to the Nets, going 3-for-12 from the field and 0-for-4 from deep. However, he racked up a career-high nine rebounds, four assists and one steal, which salvaged what could've been a forgettable performance for the Hornets.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Balanced outing in starting lineup
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Simpson had 10 points (3-7 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-3 FT), four rebounds, six assists and one steal in 32 minutes during Sunday's 112-102 loss to the Pistons.
Simpson entered the starting lineup Sunday due to injuries to multiple players, putting forth a balanced performance that included a team-high assist mark in a losing effort. Simpson also reached double figures in scoring for the fourth time this season, including in his third straight game.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Back in starting lineup
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Simpson will start Sunday's game against the Pistons.
With LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Nick Smith (back) both sitting out the first game of a back-to-back set, Simpson and Seth Curry will slide into the starting lineup. Simpson started against the Bucks on Wednesday and posted 15 points (6-12 FG, 3-6 3Pt), three assists, one rebound and one steal over 28 minutes during the Hornets' 112-102 loss.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Scores 15 points in first start
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Simpson tallied 15 points (6-12 FG, 3-6 3Pt), three assists, one rebound and one steal over 28 minutes during the Hornets' 112-102 loss to the Bucks on Wednesday.
Simpson got the first start of his NBA career due to Vasilije Micic being ruled out with an ankle injury. Simpson took advantage of the opportunity, connecting on three threes for the first time this season while finishing tied with Miles Bridges as the Hornets' second-leading scorer behind Nick Smith (22). Simpson could start against the Spurs on Friday if Micic is not cleared to play.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: First career start Wednesday
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Simpson will start in Wednesday's game against the Bucks.
It'll be the first career start for Simpson, who will replace Vasilije Micic (ankle) in Charlotte's first unit. Simpson has averaged 8.3 points, 4.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 25.8 minutes over his last four games, and he's in line for an uptick in minutes Wednesday.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Tallies eight assists in loss
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Simpson logged eight points (2-9 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six rebounds and eight assists across 27 minutes during Saturday's 107-104 loss to the Nuggets.
Simpson provided the Hornets with a viable backup point guard option, something that could turn into a more sizeable role should Vasilije Micic be forced to the sideline after suffering an ankle injury in the loss. Simpson's overall game translates relatively well on the defensive end, while the assists are an interesting wrinkle that could afford him some playmaking opportunities.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Rejoins parent club
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Charlotte recalled Simpson from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.
Simpson made two appearances during his stint with the Swarm, but he'll be available Monday for the Hornets' game against the Bulls. He's played just nine games at the NBA level this season, averaging 13.3 minutes.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Flirts with triple-double
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Simpson had eight points (2-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six rebounds, nine assists and one steal in 28 minutes during Tuesday's 110-104 loss to the 76ers.
Simpson was the first player off the Charlotte bench and nearly triple-doubled as he posted career-high marks in assists (9) and rebounds (6). The Hornets are very shorthanded right now, so the No. 42 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft could get an extended look if Tuesday's performance was any indication.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: To miss Summer League
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Simpson suffered a hamstring injury during the pre-draft process and is expected to miss Summer League in order to rehab.
This is an unfortunate injury for Simpson, who undoubtedly would've benefitted from seeing game action during Summer League. However, the team notes the rookie guard is expected to be healthy by the fall and should be available for the start of training camp.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Drafted by Charlotte at No. 42
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Simpson was selected by the Hornets with the 42nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
A junior out of Colorado, Simpson enjoyed a strong 2023-24 season and was named to the 2023-24 All-Pac-12 First Team. He had a breakout campaign shooting the ball, hitting 43.4 percent of his 4.9 three-point attempts per game, helping fuel his 19.7 points per game. He can also make tough baskets around the rim. Simpson doesn't have to be glued to the ball either, as he demonstrated great off-ball movement in college. Defense is a weak point for the 6-foot-0 prospect, but the Hornets are hoping he can do everything else well.
