Nicolas Batum could be missing in action for more than two months
The Hornets forward is expected to miss at least six to eight weeks with a torn ligament in his left elbow, the team announced Thursday.
Batum suffered the injury during Wednesday's win over the Pistons after playing just one minute in Charlotte's second preseason game. The team is still evaluating the next step in his rehabilitation process.
Batum, 28, is entering the second year of a five-year contract worth $120 million signed last July. He averaged 15.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game last season and has averaged new career highs in points in each of his first two seasons in Charlotte.
The France native also became the first Hornets player to record over 1,000 points, 450 rebounds and more than 450 assists in a single season in 2016-17.