Diabate is back after missing two games due to illness. Mark Williams is out so that rotation minutes will be available. And that may be conservative, as expected starter Jusuf Nurkic has exceeded 25 minutes three times since joining the Nuggets in February.

Diabate will miss a second straight contest after being listed as questionable on the initial injury report. Taj Gibson played 18 minutes off the bench on Wednesday, but that was due to the Hornets also being without Mark Williams. Williams is available, so look for him to absorb those minutes and take some away from Jusuf Nurkic.

Diabate was held out of Wednesday’s loss to the Raptors, so Taj Gibson played 18 minutes off the bench. Gibson’s playing time would likely decrease if Diabate remains out, as starter Mark Williams is available after not playing on Wednesday.

Diabate was listed as questionable so it’s not a major surprise that he’s been ruled out Wednesday against the Raptors. Taj Gibson should take on the backup center role in his absence and play some minutes off the bench.