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Kidd-Gilchrist injury sinks Hornets' playoff chances, clouds team's future

Since finishing last season in the lottery, the Charlotte Hornets have worked for the past six months to get back to the playoffs in 2015-16. Now, one awkward moment could undo all that work.

In Friday's preseason opener, Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist dislocated his right shoulder. On Monday, Yahoo! Sports reported that Kidd-Gilchrist will need surgery that would sideline him six months, which could keep him out the entire regular season. Without Kidd-Gilchrist in the lineup as a defensive linchpin, the odds that Charlotte will reach the postseason drop dramatically.