Hornets' Batum to play, Hawes to sit vs. Raptors

The shorthanded Charlotte Hornets won't be quite as shorthanded Friday night as they may have initially feared.

Small forward Nicolas Batum, who was listed as questionable on Thursday due to a sprained right toe, will suit up against the Toronto Raptors.

Batum suffered the injury on Monday, but has yet to miss any time as a result. The 27-year-old is averaging a career-best 16.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in his first season with the Hornets.

Charlotte will still be far from whole Friday, as center Spencer Hawes will be in street clothes due to low back tightness, joining Jeremy Lin and Al Jefferson on the shelf. Hawes, who had also been listed as questionable, is sitting out his fourth consecutive game.