Moussa Diabate Stakes His Claim in Charlotte’s Core With Breakout Performance
When you talk about the Charlotte Hornets’ young core, the usual names roll off the tongue-LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel. Even Miles Bridges still gets mentioned when discussing the foundation of this franchise. But after Tuesday night’s win over the Wizards, it’s time to start including Moussa Diabate in that conversation.
Coming off a tough road loss to the Cavaliers less than 24 hours earlier, the Hornets looked sluggish early against Washington. But Diabate didn’t get the memo.
The 23-year-old big man brought energy from the jump, and it wasn’t just hustle-it was impact. With Ryan Kalkbrenner sidelined and Mason Plumlee going down after just 10 minutes the night before, Diabate was asked to step up.
He did more than that.
Setting the Tone Early
Diabate was everywhere in the first half-fighting for boards, defending the paint, and making the most of his touches. By halftime, he already had a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
He was the one Hornet who looked like he had fresh legs and a purpose. Still, Charlotte trailed 65-62 at the break, and it felt like the game could slip away.
But the second half told a different story, and it started on the defensive end. Charlotte ratcheted up the intensity, holding Washington to just 19 points in the fourth quarter.
Knueppel found his rhythm, burying all five of his three-point attempts in the second half to finish with 19 points. Then LaMelo Ball took the wheel, dropping seven quick points early in the final frame to spark a 12-4 run that blew the game wide open.
By the final buzzer, the Hornets had secured a 126-109 win-and their fans had been treated to one of the most complete performances of the season. The usual suspects showed up, but Diabate stole the spotlight.
Making His Case
Diabate finished with 12 points and 18 rebounds, going a perfect 5-for-5 from the field and committing zero turnovers. He also posted a staggering +38 plus/minus, a number that jumps off the stat sheet and tells the story of just how dominant his presence was.
Yes, it came against a struggling Wizards team. But that doesn't take away from what Diabate brought to the table-relentless rebounding, efficient scoring, and a level of defensive activity that energized the entire roster.
With both Kalkbrenner and Plumlee out, the Hornets needed someone to stabilize the frontcourt. Diabate did just that.
There’s been debate about whether he should be starting. Right now, he looks more comfortable coming off the bench or filling in as a spot starter.
But make no mistake-he’s not just a stopgap. He’s a valuable piece of this roster, and the Hornets should treat him as such.
Looking Ahead
With the trade deadline approaching, Diabate’s name could very well come up in conversations around the league. Teams are always on the lookout for high-motor bigs who can rebound, defend, and finish efficiently. But Charlotte would be wise to hold firm.
Lead executive Jeff Peterson has a number of roster questions to address, but moving Diabate shouldn’t be one of them. If anything, his performance against Washington was a reminder of how rare it is to find a young big man who can impact the game without needing the ball in his hands.
The Hornets have their headliners in Ball, Miller, and Knueppel. But Diabate is proving he deserves a seat at the table-and maybe, just maybe, a bigger role in Charlotte’s future plans.