Insurance Limits Gattison

The Charlotte Hornets are playing Kenny Gattison no more than 8 minutes per game - at least early in his return from a neck injury - for insurance reasons.

If Gattison plays more than 8 minutes and is reinjured, the Hornets would lose coverage on him and wouldn’t be reimbursed for 80 percent of his salary by their insurance company for the next 41 games.

The Hornets are covered in case of injury if Gattison plays 8 minutes or fewer in his first six games.

Gattison suffered a spinal injury during a game in November at Cleveland after taking an inadvertent elbow from the Cavaliers’ Michael Cage.

Just days after Reggie Lewis’ number was retired to the rafters of the Boston Garden, the banner has disappeared. Team spokesman Jeff Twiss said the banner vanished Saturday night or Sunday morning.