Michael Kidd-Gilchrist could make his season debut Friday when the Charlotte Hornets visit the Portland Trail Blazers.
The small forward was listed as questionable for the contest Thursday night, just short of four months since undergoing surgery for a torn right labrum. The injury was initially expected to keep Kidd-Gilchrist out for six months, but he was insistent earlier this month that he intended to return during the regular season.
It's nothing short of incredible news for the Hornets, who have been fighting through a raft of injuries to key players of late. Nicolas Batum, Al Jefferson, Jeremy Lamb, and Cody Zeller have all missed significant time recently.
Kidd-Gilchrist is the team's best defender, and once his conditioning returns he'll be expected to also integrate himself into Charlotte's offense. While MKG is not known as a 3-and-D player, head coach Steve Clifford told CBS Sports' Zach Harper that he may become one.
"I think you'll see him shooting corner 3s ... by the end of the year," Clifford said. "I was watching him this morning and even at the end of last year, he shot a good percentage from 19 to 20 feet."
The Hornets have lost 14 of their last 21 games, and had fallen to ninth spot in the East as of Thursday evening.
