Mashburn had missed the Hornets' last 42 contests with a lower abdominal injury. He was activated off the injured list on Monday and made 8-of-18 shots with five assists in just his 10th game of the season.

"I didn't have much rust," Mashburn said. "I was able to do some conditioning, but I always thought basketball and stayed prepared. When you think about the game mentally, you stay sharp. It is good to have a good start."

"Every time we needed to start a run, Mash did it for us," Hornets coach Paul Silas said. "He didn't miss a beat. It is great to have him back. You don't know what you missed until he comes back. There is no way we win this game without him."

Mashburn had not played game since November 17 when he had 15 points, five rebounds and five assists in a 97-87 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

The 29-year-old is averaging 18.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 10 games. He was acquired from the Miami Heat in a nine-player trade and averaged 20.1 points along with career highs of 7.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists last season. He averaged 24.9 points in the playoffs.