Hornets wing Brandon Miller wore a wrap on his left shoulder throughout 2025/26 after suffering a partial dislocation in the second game of the season. He underwent surgery in early May to address instability in that same shoulder.
Miller has spent the past three-plus months rehabilitating from the surgery, telling Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer he’s making good progress in his recovery. However, the 23-year-old has not yet been cleared for full basketball activities and he’s anxious to get back on the court.
“I’m always eager, man,” Miller said. “I’m eager even when I’m not hurt. Just being out there is always a blessing whether I’m hurt or rehabbing or if I’m not hurt. One thing about me is availability. That’s all I can ask, is just availability.
“You want a full team available. You never know what can happen. Players can get in foul trouble, whatever the case may be. It’s kind of on us as players to be available whenever your number is called.”
Miller, who was limited to just 27 appearances due to a wrist injury in 2024/25, still managed to play 65 games last season despite the shoulder bothering him for several months. The former No. 2 overall pick is eligible for a rookie scale extension through October 19 and head of basketball operations Jeff Peterson has said he hopes the two sides can reach a long-term agreement.
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- At Klay Thompson‘s introductory press conference on Tuesday, Erik Spoelstra said he feels good about the Heat‘s three-point shooting, writes Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. There were some questions about whether Miami had enough outside shooting around Giannis Antetokounmpo after the team traded for the two-time MVP, but the Heat coach believes that can be put to rest now. “We have a world-class shooter in Klay, who has done it as well as anybody in the history of the game,” Spoelstra said. “And it just naturally, you don’t have to wonder about it, that’s going to fit. And he’s going to be able to complement not only Giannis but Bam (Adebayo) and everybody else on the roster. But we have a lot of guys that have shot the ball at a high level. Timmy (Tim Hardaway Jr.) has done it. Bobby (Portis) had a great year shooting it. But he’s done it now for a long period of time. Wiggs (Andrew Wiggins) had a great year shooting the ball, (Davion Mitchell) had a great year shooting the ball. But it’s not just about shooting the ball. It’s about finding a way to win.”
- On his podcast (YouTube link), Draymond Green tried to downplay any suggestion that Thompson is still the same 20-plus points per game scorer he was in his prime, relays Nick Avila of NBC Sports Bay Area. “I don’t like how everybody’s trying to act like, ‘Oh man, it’s Klay Thompson’ like Klay to the Heat, like this is Klay of 2018,” Green said of the new Heat wing. “The reason I don’t like it is because I feel like everybody’s trying to set Klay up for failure. And so, I’m going to say it right here, right now. Let’s stop acting like 2017 Klay is going to Miami. Don’t try to set my brother up like you about to get the 2017 Klay so, the moment you don’t, y’all can bash him. That’s bulls—t. He’s going into year 16 of his career. We obviously know the injuries that he’s faced.”
- Pacers forward Johnny Furphy recently provided an update on his recovery from a torn ACL in his right knee, per Tony East of Forbes. The Australian forward, who suffered the injury in February, said he’s “been on the court for a while,” though he’s not back to playing five-on-five yet. “I’m in a good place,” Furphy said. “I’m right where I need to be. As good as it can be.” There’s no definitive timeline for Furphy to return, East adds.