Diabate closed with seven points (3-6 FG, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds, two assists, one block and three steals in 24 minutes during Monday's 124-91 loss to the Pistons.
With a strong start to the year, Diabate seems to have pulled way ahead of Ryan Kalkbrenner for Charlotte's starting job at center. Diabate has come down with at least eight boards in seven of his first eight games, posting at least one steal or block each time out so far.