The Los Angeles Lakers are set to resume their season on Wednesday night, hosting the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena. This matchup was initially scheduled for January 9 but was postponed due to the significant wildfires that affected the Los Angeles area last month.
Currently, the Lakers boast an impressive record of 32-20, placing them fifth in the highly competitive Western Conference. They are eager to improve their standings as they approach the final stretch of the season, having won 12 of their last 15 games before the All-Star break. On the other hand, the Charlotte Hornets are struggling with a disappointing 13-39 record, which places them with the second-worst in the Eastern Conference, following a tough stretch of losing 11 out of their last 13 games.
Fans can catch the game on Spectrum SportsNet, with coverage starting at 7 p.m. Pacific time. For those looking to stream the game live, Fubo offers a free trial for viewing.
In terms of team updates, the Hornets might see the return of key players LaMelo Ball (right ankle soreness) and Mark Williams (return to competition reconditioning), both listed as probable. However, other players, including Tre Mann, Brandon Miller, Josh Okogie, and Grant Williams, remain out due to various injuries. The Lakers will be without Maxi Kleber, who is recovering from right foot surgery.
With the Lakers aiming for a strong finish to the season and the Hornets struggling to find their form, this game could be pivotal for both teams. Fans should stay tuned for live updates and highlights throughout the game.