Charlotte Hornets big man Mason Plumlee has undergone surgery to address a right groin injury and will be reevaluated in six weeks, the team announced Wednesday.
Mason Plumlee In 13th NBA Season
Plumlee, 35, was selected 22nd overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2013 draft out of Duke. The 7-footer spent his first two NBA seasons with Brooklyn before the Nets traded him to Portland during the 2015 offseason.
He also played for the Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons before making his first stint with Charotte in the 2021-22 season. The Hornets, however, traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers at the February 2023 deadline.
OFFICIAL: Mason Plumlee underwent surgery to address an injury to his right groin. He’s expected to make a full recovery & will be reevaluated in six weeks.
🔗 https://t.co/vm0kUbH242 pic.twitter.com/9HSLUB97Yf
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 31, 2025
Plumlee, an Indiana native, spent last season with the Phoenix Suns before returning to Charlotte on a one-year, minimum-salary contract over the summer.
The former first-rounder averaged 4.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per game as a starter with Phoenix but was eventually replaced by Nick Richards, who the Suns brought in from Charlotte via a midseason trade.
Plumlee Gives The Hornets Frontcourt Depth
With the Hornets this season, Plumlee has provided much-needed depth in the middle behind young centers Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabate.
Through 14 appearances (two starts), Plumlee is averaging 1.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 8.9 minutes per game while shooting 75% from the field and 66.7% from the foul line.
In Charlotte’s 113-110 loss at Atlanta on Nov. 23, he recorded season highs of six points, eight rebounds, and six assists to go with one steal in 22 minutes as a starter.
Along with Plumlee’s lesser role, Kalkbrenner is also dealing with an injury, having been ruled out for a fifth straight game on Wednesday due to a left elbow sprain.
Amid injuries, newly signed two-way player PJ Hall has been getting minutes behind Diabate.
In addition, the Hornets announced that standout rookie Kon Knueppel will be available on Wednesday after missing Monday’s game due to a sprained ankle.
