Spencer Hawes is dealing with a lower-back strain and is expected to miss at least the next two games, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reports.

Hawes is dealing with a lower-back strain and is expected to miss at least the next two games, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reports.

Analysis:

Hawes had been seeing increased minutes while Al Jefferson (knee) was out, but with Jefferson set to return in the near future, possibly as early as Friday against the Bucks, Hawes figures to sink back to a lesser role. Regardless, Hawes is likely to be unavailable Friday, as well as Sunday's tilt with the Nets. Assuming that timetable holds up, the soonest Hawes could be back on the court is Wednesday against the Cavaliers.