The Charlotte Hornets are gearing up for a crucial clash against the New York Knicks on Thursday night, and there's a lot on the line. A victory would extend the Hornets' winning streak to five games, giving them a better foothold in the Eastern Conference race. Currently, they're in ninth place, just half a game behind the Miami Heat for that coveted eighth seed.
Meanwhile, the Knicks are riding high on a seven-game winning streak and have their sights set on surpassing the Boston Celtics for the second spot in the conference. It's shaping up to be a pivotal showdown for both teams.
In the lead-up to the game, Hornets center Moussa Diabate joined NBA insider Zach Lowe on his podcast, where things took an interesting turn. Lowe posed a lighthearted yet unexpected question about whether Diabate had ever been in a car with his point guard, LaMelo Ball, known for his adventurous driving style.
Diabate's response? A firm "Nah, never will."
While he's happy to catch Ball's assists on the court, it seems he's steering clear off the court.
This season, Diabate has emerged as one of the league's standout performers. He's averaging 8.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and a block per game, with his prowess on the offensive glass placing him third in the NBA with 241 offensive rebounds. As the Hornets prepare to face the Knicks, Diabate will be aiming to outplay his counterpart, Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Hornets are focused and ready for the challenge, with an eye on maintaining their momentum as they head into Saturday's matchup against the 76ers.