Hornets Try to Snap Seven-Game Losing Streak as King James Visits Crown Town.

Getting you ready for tonight's Hornets game.

Author:
Ian Black
Feb 5, 2024 11:01 AM EST

In this story:

Injury Report

Hornets: OUT Mark Williams (Back), Gordon Hayward (Calf), LaMelo Ball (Ankle), Kyle Lowry (Not with team); QUESTIONABLE Frank Ntilikina (Hip)

Lakers: OUT Jarred Vanderbilt (Foot), Cam Reddish (Ankle), Gabe Vincent (Knee); QUESTIONABLE Anthony Davis (Achilles, Hip), LeBron James (Ankle)

Game Preview

The Hornets (10-38) are at home for the second-straight night on Monday, this time hosting the Los Angeles Lakers (26-25).

After dropping last night's game against the Pacers 115-99, Charlotte has now dropped seven games in a row as the trade deadline nears. This is the third separate occurrence of the season where the Hornets have lost at least six games in a row.

During that losing streak though, rookie and second-overall pick in the 2023 draft Brandon Miller has stormed his way back into the rookie of the year conversation. Including last night 35-point outing, Miller has now scored at least 21 points in four-straight games and eight of the last ten overall.

No matter how the rest of the Hornets season goes, it looks like the rookie is blossoming into one of the premier scoring options in the NBA.

The Lakers on the the other hand find themselves just back above .500 after back-to-back wins against tough Celtics and Knicks squads respectively.

Despite some injury woes to some rotation pieces like Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, and Cam Reddish, the Lakers still find themselves as the 9th seed in the Western Conference behind the power of All-NBA talents LeBron James and Anthony David holding the ship afloat.

Key Matchup: Brandon Miller vs LeBron James

Whether they are actually matching up against each other tonight, or if this is more of an abstract matchup, these two players represent two completely different eras of the NBA while being the engine for their teams' chances at success.

James is one of the NBA's greats who has lived at the mountaintop of its stars since he joined the league 20 years ago. You cannot tell the story of the league without mentioning his name.

Miller is the future of the league, and is drawing everything he can to start to climb that mountaintop. Only time will tell how far he can scale on the path to greatness. If the recent past is any indicator though, he is well on his way.

Predicted Starting Fives