Al Jefferson out at least 4 weeks with strained adductor in groin

Things are going to get a lot worse for the Charlotte Hornets before they get any better.

Already struggling at 10-22, the Hornets now face a short-term future that won't include center Al Jefferson, who will miss at least the next four weeks due to a strained adductor muscle in his left groin, the team announced Tuesday.

The First Name in Old School Game had been dealing with a sore groin for a few days but hadn't missed any time before being forced from Monday's game. The team knew he'd be out at least a couple of games, but an MRI on Tuesday revealed the strain.

This is a huge blow to the Hornets, who lose their top scorer, veteran leader and primary interior presence. In 32 games, Jefferson is averaging 18 points and 8.2 rebounds, shooting 48.8 percent from the floor, and there are no clear candidates to make up for his production.

Cody Zeller will be tasked with picking up some of the slack, and it should mean more minutes for Bismack Biyombo and untested rookie Noah Vonleh, who has been unable to find run in head coach Steve Clifford's rotation so far.

Losing Jefferson for a month may very well sink whatever remaining chances Charlotte had of making a push to the playoffs, even in the weaker Eastern Conference. The Hornets are just four games back of the eighth seed, but it's difficult to envision them playing well at all without Jefferson.