Chandler missed Thursday night's game against the Denver Nuggets, but flew to Portland on Friday to rejoin the team.

"He came out about 20 inches," Chandler said of his son. "We induced him about 10 days before he was supposed to come. So he's a pretty good size. Everything is good. He's a healthy baby."

Chandler and his wife, Kimberly, also have a 2 1/2 -- year -- old daughter, Sacha.

"I'm sure they're going to fight as soon as he's of an age to swing back," Chandler said.

Chandler arrived at the Hornets' downtown hotel at 1:30 p.m. after watching the team hold off the Nuggets 105-101.

"It was super tough," he said of viewing the game on television. "But I was sitting with my boy, so that made it that much easier."

But Chandler was reminded that backup center Hilton Armstrong is now 3-0 as a starter this season in Chandler's absence. Chandler missed two games the first week of the season with a sprained right ankle.

"I've got to get a win," Chandler said. "We can't come in and change the rotation and lose."

Hornets Coach Byron Scott didn't see Chandler until he arrived in the team's Rose Garden locker room.

"He told me he really thought when we texted each other that he would be here tonight," Scott said. "He thought he'd get in this afternoon. I'm glad everything is all right with Kim and the little one. Now he can really focus back on Basketball. I know how it is when you have an expectant wife. Your focus and your concentration level is a little elsewhere at times.

"Right now, he's thrilled to death to have a new addition to the family, and we're thrilled to death to have him back."

NO CHANGES AT GUARD: For the fifth consecutive game, Rasual Butler got the start at shooting guard Friday night in place of injured starter Morris Peterson.

Peterson has been sidelined by soreness in his right knee.

The Hornets have won four of those five games, leading to the question of whether this might be a permanent switch.

"I don't know; I haven't made up my mind," Scott said. "You know, I'm all about wins, and we've got four in a row. I think we've got four out of five with (Butler) as the starter. He's played really well. But you know, I always tell guys you really can't lose your job because of an injury.

"I'll just kind of go by feel and see what happens. Mo obviously has done well for us, but Rasual is playing at a very high level on both ends of the court. It's good to see."

Peterson is no longer experiencing swelling in the knee, Scott said.

"It's just a matter of getting him into a full practice right now," said Scott, "and hopefully that will be Sunday and Monday."

GOOD TRIP: The Hornets have not been home in nearly a week, after leaving Sunday for Los Angeles, the jumping-off point for this three-game West Coast road swing.

Nevertheless, winning puts everyone in good spirits, as evidenced when someone asked Scott how he's enjoying the holiday.

"I'm still on it," he said, laughing. "We've been on the road the whole time. But it's been a good holiday so far. Winning in Denver on Thanksgiving is a good holiday. So I'm not mad."

After Friday night's game against the Trail Blazers, the Hornets don't play again until Wednesday night when the Phoenix Suns come to the New Orleans Arena.

The team is off today but will resume practice Sunday.

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Jimmy Smith can be reached at jsmith@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3814.