Hornets' Hawes out at least a week with knee sprain
Streeter Lecka / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Charlotte Hornets backup big man Spencer Hawes will miss at least a week as he recovers from a right knee sprain.
Hawes sustained the injury Wednesday during Charlotte's Game 5 victory over the Miami Heat, arguably his best game of the playoffs. The 28-year-old finished the contest with six points, four rebounds, one block, and one steal on 3-of-5 shooting.
The Washington product has averaged 3.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.4 blocks in five games this postseason.
With Hawes out for Game 6, head coach Steve Clifford may look to seldom-used power forward Tyler Hansbrough to replace Hawes' minutes in the rotation.
Up 3-2 entering Friday's matchup, Charlotte can win its first series since 2002 with a victory at Time Warner Cable Arena.