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Nuggets' KJ Simpson: Inks two-way deal with Nuggets
Rotowire
The Nuggets signed Simpson (hip) to a two-way contract Wednesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Denver converted Spencer Jones' two-way contract to a standard deal earlier Wednesday, and they've filled the vacated two-way slot with Simpson. Simpson, the 42nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, had spent his entire career with the Hornets before being waived Feb. 6. He appeared in 14 NBA games this season, averaging 6.0 points, 2.5 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals across 15.9 minutes. Before being waived by Charlotte, Simpson had been tending to a hip injury, but he's not on the injury report for Thursday's game against the Clippers.
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KJ Simpson: Waived by Charlotte
Rotowire
The Hornets waived Simpson on Friday.
Originally selected by Charlotte with the 42nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the second-year guard holds career averages of 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 21.3 minutes per game across 50 appearances. He'll now be able to seek opportunities elsewhere.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Won't play Thursday
Rotowire
Simpson (hip) is out for Thursday's game in Houston.
This will be Simpson's fifth consecutive game on the sidelines due to the hip issue, and for now, he should be considered doubtful for Saturday's game in Atlanta. When the Hornets' backcourt has been healthy this season, Simpson has been a negligible part of the rotation.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Not playing Monday
Rotowire
Simpson (hip) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the 76ers.
Simpson will miss a fourth consecutive game due to a left hip strain. He hasn't been part of the Hornets' rotation as of late, but his next opportunity to play is Wednesday against the Grizzlies.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Ruled out for Saturday
Rotowire
Simpson (hip) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Wizards.
Simpson has been ruled out for a third straight game due to a left hip flexor strain and is without a timetable for a return. While the two-way player's absence shouldn't affect the Charlotte rotation, his next opportunity to play for the parent club will come Monday against Philadelphia.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Listed out Thursday
Rotowire
Simpson is out for Thursday's game against Orlando with a left hip flexor strain.
The Hornets have now ruled Simpson out for both halves of their back-to-back set. The second-year guard's next chance to play comes Saturday against the Wizards, but it's possible Simpson will report back to the G League's Greensboro Swarm when healthy.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Out for Wednesday
Rotowire
Simpson is out for Wednesday's game against Cleveland with a left hip flexor strain.
The second-year guard hasn't seen action for Charlotte since Dec. 18 and presumably sustained the injury during his most recent appearance for the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Saturday. Once he's healthy, the two-way player will likely return to the G League, where he'll get the chance to play steadier minutes.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Headed to bench
Rotowire
Simpson is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game versus the Cavaliers.
Sion James will replace Simpson in the first unit for Sunday's game, but the latter should still see significant minutes in the rotation with LaMelo Ball (ankle), Collin Sexton (quad) and Tre Mann (knee) all unavailable. Over the past three games, Simpson has recorded averages of 11.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 triples, 2.7 steals and 2.7 turnovers per game on 41/39/63 shooting splits.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Solid showing in first start
Rotowire
Simpson supplied 16 points (6-14 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 2-4 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal across 29 minutes during Sunday's 115-106 loss to the Nuggets.
Simpson entered the Hornets' starting lineup for the first time this season due to the absences of LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Collin Sexton (quadriceps). Simpson started nicely with 13 points in the first half, and while he cooled off in the second, he still finished Sunday's game as the Hornets' third-leading scorer behind Miles Bridges (24 points) and Brandon Miller (17 points). Ball will likely be available for the Hornets' next game Friday against the Bulls, in which case Simpson would revert to a bench role.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Starting Sunday
Rotowire
Simpson will start against the Nuggets on Sunday, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
With LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Collin Sexton (quadriceps) unavailable, Simpson will get the starting nod for the first time this season. The two-way player logged a season-high 28 minutes in Friday's win over the Raptors, during which he registered eight points (2-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five steals, four assists and three rebounds.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Season-high 28 minutes
Rotowire
Simpson accumulated eight points (2-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five steals, four assists and three rebounds across 28 minutes during Friday's 111-86 victory over Toronto.
Simpson logged a season-high minutes total, closing the game after LaMelo Ball exited early with yet another ankle injury. The two-way player made the most of his time on the court and could become a more regular part of the rotation if Ball is forced to miss additional time.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Back to G League
Rotowire
Charlotte transferred Simpson to the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.
Simpson has been used sparingly at the NBA level so far. Through eight appearances, he holds averages of 4.9 points, 2.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per contest.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Back to NBA
Rotowire
Charlotte recalled Simpson from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.
After getting in a practice session with the Swarm on Monday, Simpson was immediately recalled. He will continue to provide emergency depth for the Hornets.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Sent to G League
Rotowire
The Hornets transferred Simpson to the G League's Swarm on Monday.
The Hornets are beginning a two-game road trip Monday in Toronto, so the fact that Simpson was sent to the G League suggests that he won't be available for either of those contests. Simpson has appeared in six games for the Hornets this season, with all coming when LaMelo Ball hasn't been available.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Upgraded to available
Rotowire
Simpson (shoulder) is available for Saturday's game against the Thunder.
Simpson was deemed probable for this contest due to a shoulder issue, but the second-year floor general will be able to suit up. He's buried on the depth chart, however, so he isn't likely to see many minutes. He's been limited to just five appearances and 14.4 minutes per contest so far in 2025-26.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Probable vs. Thunder
Rotowire
Simpson (shoulder) is probable for Saturday's game against the Thunder.
A left AC joint sprain continues to plague Simpson, though the issue shouldn't keep him out Saturday. With LaMelo Ball (ankle) set to take a seat against Oklahoma City, Simpson is in line to at least be part of the rotation. The two-way player has averaged 5.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 14.4 minutes per game over five games this season, shooting just 37.5 percent from the floor.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Available to play
Rotowire
Simpson (shoulder) will be available to play Friday against the Bucks.
Simpson will be available, but with LaMelo Ball (ankle) returning for Friday's game, Simpson might get bumped from the rotation. He's averaging 5.0 points and 2.6 assists in 14.4 minutes a night on the year.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Likely to play vs. Bucks
Rotowire
Simpson (shoulder) is probable for Friday's game against Milwaukee.
A left AC joint sprain continues to bother Simpson, but he remains likely to play Friday. With LaMelo Ball (ankle) expected to return from a five-game absence, Simpson is in danger of losing some playing time. The two-way player has averaged 5.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 14.4 minutes per contest over five games this season, shooting a paltry 37.5 percent from the floor.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Cleared for Wednesday
Rotowire
Simpson (shoulder) is available for Wednesday's game against the Bucks.
Simpson was tabbed probable for Wednesday's contest due to a sprained left shoulder. The two-way guard will give it a go, and he'll likely see decent action off the bench due to the absence of LaMelo Ball (ankle).
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Probable for Wednesday
Rotowire
Simpson (shoulder) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Bucks.
A shoulder sprain isn't expected to keep Simpson from playing Wednesday. Simpson has averaged 5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 15.8 minutes per contest over four games this season.
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