Hornets Host Return of Familiar Faces as Batum, Oubre Come to Town

Getting you ready for tonight's Hornets game.

Author:
Ian Black
Jan 20, 2024 4:58 PM EST

In this story:

Charlotte Hornets

Philadelphia 76ers

Injury Report

Hornets: OUT Mark Williams (Back), Gordon Hayward (Calf), Bryce McGowens (Hip), Nick Richards (Ankle)

76ers: OUT De'Anthony Melton (Back), Robert Covington (Knee), Jaden Springer (Ankle), Mohamed Bamba (Back)

Game Preview

The Hornets (9-30) are at home on Saturday night for the second night of a back-to back, this time hosting the Philadelphia 76ers (27-13). It's been a rough go of late for the Hornets with injuries to a majority of the rotation and starters, winning only twice in their last 19 games.

When these two teams met in December, the Hornets suffered one of the toughest defeats of the season in a 135-82 loss. Joel Embiid was unstoppable in that matchup, pouring in 42 points and 15 rebounds.

This time around though, the Hornets have some reinforcements in star guard LaMelo Ball and the 25.1 points, 7.8 assists, and 5.3 rebounds he's averaging this season. See as how Brandon Miller's 14 points led the Hornets in scoring the last time these two teams met up, Ball's facilitating and ability to create his own shots will likely make a world of different in this matchup.

Key Matchup: Joel Embiid vs P.J. Washington

LaMelo Ball will certainly be a welcome return for this rematch, but the Hornets are still extremely thin on size in the frontcourt.

With starter Mark Williams, and backup Nick Richards both on the shelf, the Hornets will be turning to a combination of 6'7" P.J. Washington and 6'9" Nathan Mensah to cover the 7'0" Embiid.

Size isn't everything in basketball, but the absence of height is surely felt when covering one of the premier scoring bigs of the 21st century.

Predicted Starting Fives