Lance Stephenson out vs. Washington with toe injury

Lance Stephenson was a late omission for Friday's exhibition in Greensboro after suffering a deep cut to one of his toes, per Rick Bonnell:

Lance Stephenson has a cut on his small toe that will keep him out of tonight's exhibition against the Wizards.

— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) October 10, 2014

According to Bonnell, head coach Steve Clifford hopes Stephenson will practice Sunday:

"Hopefully (Stephenson is) ready to practice Sunday," Clifford said. "They’re concerned that it’s deep enough that it could get infected. And he’s sore – I don’t think he could run on it anyway."

With Stephenson out, the Hornets are suddenly thin at the shooting guard position, as Gerald Henderson is already out with a right hamstring injury. Stephenson's injury means Gary Neal would get the start against Washington, with rookie P.J. Hairston receiving more playing time.

Hopefully the cut to Stephenson's toe is not severe enough to keep him out more than one game. It may only be preseason, but Stephenson and the rest of the Hornets will need these games to grow accustomed to one another.