October 30, 2026 at 5:40 AM UTC

Pregame Analysis

Thin Hornets Lean on Brandon Miller as 76ers Arrive With Depth Questions of Their Own

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Charlotte's injury list and Philadelphia's overall depth set up a closer game than the rosters might suggest.

Charlotte enters this one with its rotation badly stretched. Coby White (left calf strain), Grant Williams (right hamstring strain) and Kon Knueppel (left hamstring strain) have all been ruled out, which strips the Hornets of ball handling, forward depth and secondary scoring in one swoop. Their availability is worth rechecking before tip, but as things stand, Charlotte has very little margin for an off night from anyone.

That puts even more weight on Brandon Miller, who has scored 30 or more points in each of the Hornets' last three games. He is clearly the focal point, and Philadelphia can build its defensive plan around him. The concern for Charlotte is what happens when Miller sits or gets loaded up on: with so many other creators out, the offense can stall quickly. Knueppel's return to practice with the Greensboro Swarm is encouraging for down the road, but he was ruled out for this game and does not change tonight's math.

Naz Reid is another variable. He was a steady scorer, yet he did not play a minute of the second half against Detroit despite having no injury, so his role is hard to project. If he gets back into the rotation, he gives Charlotte needed frontcourt scoring, but that is far from certain.

Philadelphia has its own problems up front, with Jabari Walker (knee), Dominick Barlow (back) and Ariel Hukporti (Achilles) all out, leaving forward and big-man depth thin. Jaylen Brown was also questionable for the Sixers' Cup game against the Knicks, a recent availability note worth watching. Still, Philadelphia's top-end talent and a fuller backcourt should be enough to withstand Miller's scoring. I like the 76ers to grind out a road win, with Charlotte staying competitive until its depth runs out late.

Prediction: 76ers 114, Hornets 108.

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