Ryan Kalkbrenner Out for Friday's Game Due to Personal Reasons

Ryan Kalkbrenner (personal) is out for Friday's game against the Bucks, marking his first absence of the season. The Charlotte Hornets rookie second-rounder faces a short turnaround if he intends to rejoin the team for Saturday's game against the Thunder. Moussa Diabate is the most likely candidate to start in his place, with Mason Plumlee expected to fill the backup center role. Kalkbrenner, a 23-year-old center, signed a three-year, $7.23 million contract with the Hornets in July 2025. His 2025 season stats include 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.4 blocks. A consensus four-star recruit, Kalkbrenner played five years at Creighton, earning four Big East Defensive Player of the Year awards and numerous other accolades, including the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award and NABC Defensive Player of the Year in his final year. He is known as an excellent paint defender and shot-blocker with offensive upside, including a developing 3-point shot (32.2% in his final two collegiate seasons).