Hornets' Batum, Lin, Hawes questionable Friday vs. Raptors

With center Al Jefferson on the shelf for six weeks after knee surgery Thursday, the last thing the Charlotte Hornets need is more banged-up players. But that's how it looks going into 2016 with swingman Nicolas Batum, backup point guard Jeremy Lin, and reserve big man Spencer Hawes listed as questionable for a New Year's Day date with the Toronto Raptors.

Lin and Hawes missed Wednesday's home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers with ankle and back injuries, respectively, while Batum played 42 minutes on a sprained right toe.

Batum has rebounded from a disappointing season with the Portland Trail Blazers last year, scoring a career-high 16.3 points per game with the Hornets and bringing his 3-point percentage back in line with his career average.

Lin has proven to be a serviceable backup to Kemba Walker, while Hawes - with his fifth NBA team in nine seasons - has rediscovered a respectable 38.6-percent three-point stroke in 17 minutes a game.

With the bench thinned out Wednesday, Brian Roberts saw a season-high 18 minutes in Lin's place.