The Los Angeles Lakers and visiting Charlotte Hornets will return from the All-Star break earlier than previously planned when the teams meet for a make-up game Wednesday.
Originally scheduled for Jan. 9, that game was postponed amid the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
While the Hornets originally were set to face the Lakers with Anthony Davis, the rescheduled game pits them with a different challenge in Luka Doncic, who was acquired by Los Angeles on Feb. 2.
Doncic has played two games with his new team, both against the Utah Jazz. He scored 14 points in a home victory over the Jazz on Feb. 10 and 16 points in a road loss last Wednesday. Both games came after he missed a month and a half with a calf injury.
Despite the loss last week, Los Angeles has won 10 of its past 12 games, with star LeBron James so focused on the two months remaining in the season, he decided to sit out Sunday’s All-Star festivities with soreness in his left foot and ankle.
James, who is continuing to build on-court chemistry with Doncic, is listed as questionable for the Wednesday contest.
“To add a caliber player like (Doncic), a generational talent like that to our franchise, it’s something that’s given me energy,” James said during All-Star weekend. “I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do. We only had two games so far, and I believe he’s been on a minutes restriction since he came back from the calf.
“As he continues to get in form, I think we could be really good going down the stretch. But we’ll see what happens.”
The Hornets limped into the break on a three-game losing streak, while dropping nine of the last 10 contests and 11 of 13 going back to Jan. 22. Included in those defeats was a 112-107 home loss to the Lakers on Jan. 27.
In that previous meeting against Los Angeles, Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball departed after nine minutes with a left ankle injury. Ball has played in just two games since, including one on Feb. 10 against the Brooklyn Nets, where he left early with a right ankle injury. He is listed as probable for Wednesday.
Not selected as an All-Star this season, despite averages of 27.3 points, 7.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 33 games, Ball instead has been getting much needed recovery time.
The Hornets have lost 17 of the 18 games when Ball has been out, making the presence of the Los Angeles-area native vital for the Hornets’ chances.
The Hornets and Lakers had agreed on a deal before the trade deadline, but Charlotte big man Mark Williams failed his physical in Los Angeles, nixing the swap that would have sent Cam Reddish and rookie Dalton Knecht to Charlotte.
Williams is listed as probable to face the Lakers. If he does take the court, it would be his first game action since the deal was called off.
“We have always held great respect for Mark’s talent, work ethic, and character,” the Hornets said in a statement. “We are thrilled to see him rejoin our roster as a dynamic presence at the starting center position. His return strengthens our team, and we look forward to the impact he will make on and off the court.”
Williams scored 11 points with eight rebounds in last month’s loss to the Lakers and struggled to guard Davis, who had 42 points and 23 rebounds. Davis was sent to the Dallas Mavericks in the Doncic deal.
–Field Level Media
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