Injury report: Key players out as Hornets face Suns

Charlotte looks to maintain playoff position as Phoenix eyes the 7th seed

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:50pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and Phoenix Suns, with the players and court fragmented into sharp, overlapping shapes in the team's vibrant colors.Injuries to key players on both teams could impact the Hornets and Suns' playoff positioning as the regular season concludes.Boston Today

The Charlotte Hornets and Phoenix Suns will both be missing key contributors when they face off on Thursday night. Charlotte's PJ Hall is out with ankle soreness, while Phoenix will be without Amir Coffey and Haywood Highsmith due to ankle and knee injuries. Former Hornets center Mark Williams is listed as questionable for the Suns with a foot injury. The Hornets are in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race, while the Suns are looking to secure the 7th seed in the West.

Why it matters

With the playoffs approaching, injuries to key players could significantly impact the postseason positioning for both the Hornets and Suns. Charlotte is fighting to maintain a top-8 spot in the East, while Phoenix is trying to lock up the 7th seed in the West.

The details

The Hornets will be without PJ Hall, who was recently recalled from the G League but is now dealing with ankle soreness. For the Suns, Amir Coffey and Haywood Highsmith are both ruled out with ankle and knee injuries respectively. Former Hornets center Mark Williams is listed as questionable for Phoenix with a foot issue. If Williams can't play, Oso Ighodaro and rookie Khaman Malauch will likely see increased frontcourt minutes.

  • The Hornets and Suns will face off on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
  • Following Thursday's game, the Hornets will play the Pacers on Friday, April 3 in the second game of a back-to-back.
  • The Suns will have Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4 off before facing the Bulls on Sunday, April 5.

The players

PJ Hall

A Hornets forward who is out with ankle soreness.

Amir Coffey

A Suns player who is ruled out with an ankle injury.

Haywood Highsmith

A Suns player who is ruled out with a knee injury.

Mark Williams

A former Hornets center who is now with the Suns and is listed as questionable with a foot injury.

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What they’re saying

“We need to find a way to get healthy and keep our momentum going into the playoffs.”

— James Borrego, Hornets Head Coach

What’s next

The Hornets will look to get healthy and maintain their playoff positioning over the final six games of the regular season. The Suns will aim to secure the 7th seed in the Western Conference standings.

The takeaway

Injuries to key players on both teams could have a significant impact on their postseason aspirations. The Hornets need to find a way to win games and stay in the top-8 of the East, while the Suns hope to have a healthy roster as they prepare for the playoffs.