Michael Kidd-Gilchrist cleared for full-contact practice

Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was cleared for full-contact practice on Tuesday after suffering a torn labrum in October

The Charlotte Hornets have faltered a bit as of late, but they have actually been one of the more surprisingly relevant teams in the Eastern Conference and the entire NBA through the first half of the season. Not only were they a lottery team last year, but they’ve also played the whole season without one of their stars in forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist after he suffered a torn labrum in the preseason.

There was warranted concern at the time of MKG’s injury that the defensive-minded star for Charlotte would miss the entirety of the 2015-16 season. However, things are looking up that he might return much sooner than expected as he was cleared for full-contact practice on Tuesday:

It’s important to note that the team is already saying that there is no timetable for Kidd-Gilchrist’s return to game action. That’s likely necessary to say so that fans aren’t clamoring or becoming filled with unrest over a set timetable for Kidd-Gilchrist and he can instead come along at his own pace to where he will hopefully not suffer any setbacks before and after he returns.

Even with no timetable, though, that Kidd-Gilchrist is returning to full-contact practice is a cause for optimism in Charlotte. They’ve remained playoff-relevant in a tough Eastern Conference through the first half of the season and even with center Al Jefferson also weathering through a handful of injuries. If they can get a healthy MKG back down the home-stretch of the season along with Big Al, they could certainly be a team to keep an eye on in the East.