Hayward finding success in more prominent role with Hornets
Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward, left, looks to pass against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. Hayward took the road less traveled this offseason when he opted out of his contract with the high-profile Celtics and chose to come to Charlotte to take on a more prominent role and the opportunity to help build a young Hornets team into a playoff contender. When the Hornets need a basket in the fourth quarter, they often defer to Hayward. “It seems like yesterday that I was these guys — I was the young guy,” Hayward said with a laugh. Hayward said his sole focus is on helping the Hornets end a four-year playoff drought.
NBA postpones next 3 Spurs games after four players test positive for COVID-19
Their games are halted because they were the last team to play the Spurs, losing to them on Sunday. Charlotte coach James Borrego said “there's no indication that anybody" on the Hornets' roster is positive for COVID-19. The NBA has said it will shuffle some games, when possible, to accommodate the need to reschedule postponed games in the second half. AdThe NBA does not reveal which players tested positive, but its announcement of the latest postponements said the Spurs had positive tests among players — and did not mention coaches. “Under normal circumstances, we would be extremely grateful for the opportunity to host the NBA All-Star game, but this is not a typical year," Bottoms said.