Playfully pausing to take a moment as he was walking by seconds before pregame introductions, Hornets coach James Borrego massaged Kelly Oubre Jr.’s shoulders.
Oubre appeared to be focusing intently on what was ahead, preparing to come off the bench just like he typically does. Even with Gordon Hayward sitting out due to discomfort in his right foot, missing just his second game of the season, Oubre’s task remained the same: Give the Hornets a bounce, lifting them up if they went through dry spells offensively.
But the usual kisses that Oubre blows into the Spectrum Center stands were absent in the Hornets’ 113-91 loss to Atlanta on Sunday.