It has been a challenging season for both the Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets. They’ll be looking to ease some of their woes when they face off on Wednesday night in Charlotte.
The Hornets are grappling with an evolving lineup, especially if guard LaMelo Ball is unable to play due to his recent ailment. The Hornets have lost three of their last four games, including a 112-107 defeat to the visiting Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. Ball played only nine minutes and scored seven points before exiting with an apparent ankle injury. Despite various ailments this season, Ball has achieved All-Star status for his performances when available.
The Nets suffered a 110-96 loss to visiting Sacramento on Monday night, marking their seventh straight defeat, including the last four at home. DeAngelo Russell has been a bright spot, scoring at least 19 points in four of Brooklyn’s last five games. Since arriving from the Lakers, he has become the most reliable scorer for the Nets, leading the team in points in four of the past six games. However, the team’s offense has struggled, shooting just 10-for-36 on 3-pointers.
Ahead of Wednesday’s game, the Nets will be addressing an ankle injury to forward Noah Clowney, who exited in the second quarter on Monday.
These teams currently sit 13th (Nets) and 14th (Hornets) among the 15 teams in the Eastern Conference standings. The Hornets rely on Ball for both scoring and playmaking, creating a different dynamic when he’s not on the court. Charlotte should be accustomed to lineup combinations without him.
The Hornets are still adjusting to forward Josh Okogie, acquired in a trade from the Phoenix Suns on January 15. He has played five games with Charlotte, scoring 19 points against the Lakers for his second-highest total of the season. Okogie only played for one minute against the Nets when he was with the Suns in a November game.
The Nets won the only previous meeting with Charlotte this season, edging out a 116-115 victory in an NBA Cup game on November 19. Cameron Johnson contributed 34 points for Brooklyn that day, but he’s sidelined with an ankle injury until at least the end of the week.
