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Kemba Walker 'a little sore' after knee contusion

Kent Smith / Getty

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker suffered a contusion on his left knee during Monday night's NBA preseason game against the Orlando Magic.

Walker, playing in the final year of his rookie contract with the Hornets, was injured early in the third quarter after a collision with Magic guard Elfrid Payton on a drive to the basket.

"I just bumped knees with Payton," Walker said after Monday's game. "I'm all right, though. A little sore, but I'll be all right."

With 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter, Walker had come up with his own rebound on a missed 3-pointer, and was driving for a layup when he collided with Payton and suddenly pulled up.

Walker walked slowly along the baseline as play moved to the other end of the court before Charlotte called timeout. A minute later, Walker was taken to the locker room. He did not return for Monday's game, finishing with 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Charlotte coach Steve Clifford said Walker's status for Charlotte's next game on Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons is undetermined.

"I think he's OK," Clifford said. "He's got one spot where it's a little bit sore, but I think everything's going to be fine. It'll just depend on how he feels (Tuesday). He's in the training room now and I don't think they felt like this was anything serious."

Still, Walker said that he expects to miss Wednesday's game as a precaution.

"Probably just a few days," Walker said. "It's nothing major. It's nothing big to worry about. Just a straight knee-on-knee hit. I'll be fine."

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