Former Tennessee basketball legend Grant Williams suffered a torn ACL in Saturday’s loss to the Bucks, ending his season prematurely.
The devastating injury came late in the fourth quarter with the Charlotte Hornets down against Milwaukee. Williams drove right and landed awkwardly as he tried to finish through contact from Brook Lopez inside. Williams attempted to scurry off the court after the fall but was quickly helped off by his teammates after struggling to walk.
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Williams was playing an important role for Charlotte this year, a young team that utilized his veteran presence well. The former Vol started 7 of the 16 games so far this year for the Hornets while averaging career highs with 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 36% shooting from 3-point range. Williams meshed well with up-and-coming stars Lamelo Ball and Brandon Miller, providing some needed defensive intensity to a lineup full of offense.
The Hornets are Williams’ third NBA stop after Boston and Dallas and is in the second year of a 4 year, 54-million-dollar contract he signed in 2023 with Dallas. Hornets’ rookies Tidjane Salaun and Moussa Diabate will seemingly move into those absent minutes, as the Hornets have dealt with a host of injuries so far this year.
Williams has found a nice role in Charlotte after being traded from Dallas midway through last season.
The former Vol posted a message to social media after the aftermath of his injury:
“Appreciate all the love and support from those who have reached out,” Williams posted to X. “Time to go to work it’s all we can do.”
