Is Brandon Miller playing tonight vs Brooklyn Nets? Latest on Hornets forward's status for Summer League game (July 21)

Brandon Miller will not suit up for the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets. Miller isn’t injured but his Summer League campaign ended after just one game. The Hornets didn’t want him risking an injury by playing a no-bearing game.

Miller’s only appearance was in the Hornets’ debut in the Las Vegas tournament. He led Charlotte to a 94-90 victory over the York Knicks. The No. 2 pick in last year’s draft finished with 23 points on 7-for-16 shooting, including 5-of-10 from deep. Miller added eight rebounds and two assists but committed seven turnovers.

Brandon Miller was selected to play for Team Select, the squad chosen to scrimmage with Team USA who will compete in the Olympics. After training camp, he remained in Sin City to join his Hornets teammates.

Miller’s stint in the competition ended after the Hornets’ win over the Knicks.

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Tidjane Salaun takes the spotlight without Brandon Miller

Without Miller, Charlotte Hornets fans have their eyes on Tidjane Salaun, the team’s pick at No. 6 in the 2024 NBA Draft. Some questioned the Hornets’ decision when Matas Buzelis and Dalton Knecht were still on the board when they were on the clock. Charlotte’s brass seems enamored with the young Frenchman’s potential so they surprised many by drafting him.

Salaun is undeniably raw but could be another star in the making for the Hornets. In three Summer League games, he is averaging 9.0 points and 7.0 rebounds. The former Cholet star is freakishly athletic and is already strong enough to take the ball to the rim.

Brandon Miller couldn’t help but stand up when his new teammate drove to the basket to finish an and-1 play. Salaun has plenty to do to be on the same level as Miller but he is taking the spotlight in the Hornets’ Summer League games.

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Brandon Miller is expected to play better next season compared to his rookie campaign

The Charlotte Hornets hired Charles Lee to replace Steve Clifford who stepped down as the team’s coach. LaMelo Ball will also be returning from an injury-ravaged campaign that forced him to play just 22 games. Things will be different next season, including Brandon Miller’s role with the team.

When Ball got injured and Terry Rozier was traded to the Miami Heat, Miller took on a role that will likely continue next season. He became the Hornets’ go-to guy on offense. Clifford’s plays were all designed to maximize his skills. There were growing pains but Miller and the team embraced the process.

If LaMelo Ball can stay healthy, Brandon Miller’s production will likely be even better. Lee might even allow him to run pick-and-rolls more often when Ball isn’t on the court. The Hornets know what they have in him so keeping Miller out of the Summer League was the right decision.