The Charlotte Hornets (14-26, 28 points, 12th in Eastern Conference) face the Los Angeles Lakers (24-14, 48 points, 5th in Western Conference) in an interconference matchup. The Hornets are struggling with injuries and inconsistency but have shown flashes of competitiveness, while the Lakers aim to build on a strong home record and veteran leadership. This game could be decided by LA’s frontcourt dominance against Charlotte’s perimeter play, with potential for a high-scoring affair given both teams’ recent defensive lapses.
Venue Location
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA (Capacity: 19,079).
Tipoff is scheduled for 10:30 PM ET (Broadcast: Spectrum Sports Net +, FDCH).
Injury Report
Injuries are significantly affecting both rosters, with Charlotte’s frontcourt depleted and the Lakers managing multiple key absences in the backcourt and wings.
Charlotte Hornets:
C Mason Plumlee (right groin): Out until at least February 11 (surgery).
SG Collin Sexton (left hamstring): Questionable; game-time decision.
SG Pat Connaughton (illness): Questionable; game-time decision.
PG LaMelo Ball (left ankle): Probable; expected to play.
SF Brandon Miller (right knee): Questionable; game-time decision.
PF Grant Williams (right knee): Probable; expected to play.
SF Tidjane Salaun (left ankle): Probable; expected to play.
C Ryan Kalkbrenner (left elbow): Probable; expected to play.
Los Angeles Lakers:
SG Austin Reaves (left calf): Out; reevaluated in four weeks (Grade 2 strain).
C Jaxson Hayes (left hamstring): Questionable; game-time decision.
SF Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain): Out until at least February 2.
SF LeBron James (left foot joint arthritis/right sciatica): Questionable; game-time decision.
Luka Doncic (left groin soreness): Questionable; game-time decision.
Key
Player Matchups to Watch
This matchup highlights perimeter playmakers against interior defenders, with injuries potentially shifting focus to bench contributors.
PG LaMelo Ball (CHA) vs. PG D’Angelo Russell (LAL): Ball (24.7 PPG, 8.2 APG, 5.1 RPG) is Charlotte’s engine with elite passing and scoring. Russell (16.5 PPG, 5.8 APG) must match Ball’s creativity while exploiting mismatches.
SF Miles Bridges (CHA) vs. SF LeBron James (LAL): Bridges (20.3 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 3.4 APG) brings athleticism and three-point shooting. James (questionable; 25.1 PPG, 7.4 APG, 7.2 RPG) dominates with all-around play if cleared.
C Mark Williams (CHA) vs. C Anthony Davis (LAL): Williams (12.8 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 1.8 BPG) provides rim protection. Davis (27.6 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 3.3 APG, 2.4 BPG) is LA’s two-way star, likely overwhelming with scoring and blocks.
SG Brandon Miller (CHA) vs. SG Austin Reaves (LAL): Miller (16.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG) adds wing scoring. Reaves (out; replaced by potentially Max Christie): Christie (bench role) focuses on defense.
Recent Team Forms
Charlotte Hornets (4-6 in last 10 games, -15 point differential):
The Hornets have been inconsistent, averaging 111.9 PPG in their last 10 while allowing 116.8. Road form: 7-14. They’re coming off a 109-117 loss to the Clippers on Jan. 12.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Jan 12 | @ LAC | L 109-117 |
| Jan 10 | @ UTA | W 150-95 |
| Jan 8 | vs IND | L 112-114 |
| Jan 7 | vs TOR | L 96-97 |
| Jan 5 | @ OKC | W 124-97 |
| Jan 3 | @ CHI | W 112-99 |
| Jan 2 | @ MIL | L 121-122 |
| Dec 31 | vs WSH | L 113-114 |
| Dec 29 | vs MIL | L 113-123 |
| Dec 27 | @ MEM | W 116-112 |
Los Angeles Lakers (6-4 in last 10 games, +5 point differential):
The Lakers have been solid offensively, averaging 116.5 PPG in their last 10 while allowing 116.4. Home form: 11-7. They’re on a win streak after a 141-116 victory vs. Atlanta on Jan. 13.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Jan 13 | vs ATL | W 141-116 |
| Jan 12 | @ SAC | L 112-124 |
| Jan 10 | vs MIL | L 101-105 |
| Jan 7 | @ SA | L 91-107 |
| Jan 6 | @ NO | W 111-103 |
| Jan 4 | vs MEM | W 120-114 |
| Jan 2 | vs MEM | W 128-121 |
| Dec 31 | @ MIN | W 116-113 |
| Dec 29 | vs CLE | W 117-100 |
| Dec 27 | vs CHI | W 112-103 |
Series History
The Lakers hold a dominant all-time edge in 70 regular-season meetings: 44-26 in favor of Los Angeles (62.9% win rate). Charlotte has won 3 of the last 10, but LA took the most recent 121-111 on Nov. 10, 2025. At Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers are 25-10 vs. the Hornets. Recent matchups average 228 points, trending over in 6 of last 10.
Betting Trends
Moneyline: LAL is 15-6 as home favorites; CHA is 5-14 as road underdogs.
Spread (ATS): LAL covers 52.6% as favorites; CHA covers 57.5% as underdogs.
Total (Over/Under): Over has hit in 55.3% of LAL games (21 of 38); 45% of CHA games (18 of 40).
Trends: Hornets are 9-3 ATS in last 12; total UNDER in 4 of last 6. Lakers total OVER in 6 of last 9 vs. CHA; 5-2 ATS in last 7 home vs. CHA. CHA 3-10-1 ATS in last 14 vs. LAL; 1-5 SU in last 6 vs. LAL.
Game Odds
Charlotte Hornets 231.5
Los Angeles Lakers – 4.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, January 14, 2026
