Ryan Kalkbrenner Cleared for Saturday's Game; Rookie Center Returns After Personal Absence

Ryan Kalkbrenner (personal) is off the injury report and expected to play in Saturday's game against the Thunder, rejoining the Charlotte Hornets after missing Friday's contest. The 23-year-old rookie center has averaged 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in 11 games this season, shooting an impressive 83.3 percent from the field. Kalkbrenner signed a three-year, $7.23 million contract with the Hornets in July 2025. His pre-NBA career at Creighton was highly decorated, including four Big East Defensive Player of the Year awards, multiple All-Big East selections, and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award. Known for his excellent paint defense, shot-blocking, and offensive versatility around the basket, Kalkbrenner also showed shooting upside in college, hitting 32.2% from three-point range in his final two seasons.