NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Hornets center Tyson Chandler and forward Peja Stojakovic were held out of New Orleans' home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night.
Both players have sprained right ankles. Chandler also did not play in the Hornets' second regular-season game at Phoenix on Thursday night. Stojakovic's injury occurred in the second half of that game.Hornets coach Byron Scott replaced Chandler in the starting lineup with third-year pro Hilton Armstrong and inserted Rasual Butler in Stojakovic's spot.
Scott said before the game he chose to start Butler in part because he performed well throughout the preseason and in the Hornets' first two regular-season games, both victories. Scott said he also wanted to keep James Posey in his regular role as a top reserve.
"I wanted Pose to continue to come off the bench because he's provided so much coming off the bench for us," Scott said.
