Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (20) is helped to his feet by his teammates during an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Friday, April 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Charlotte forward Gordon Hayward has been ruled out of the Hornets NBA Play-In game against Indiana with a sprained foot.
The Hornets must win the game in order to stay alive in the NBA's new Play-In Tournament.
Charlotte, the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference, must win two games to advance to the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2016.
The Hornets have struggled, losing 5-of-7 games, including five-straight, to close the regular season.