Lakers Vs. Hornets Game Preview & TV Info: LeBron James, Anthony Davis & Malik Monk Out

Daniel Starkand
4 Min Read
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers continue their road trip on Friday night when they take on the Charlotte Hornets in the second game of a back-to-back.

This road trip has embodied the Lakers’ season a whole pretty well as they have seen mixed results, going 2-2, with players being in and out of the lineup due to injury.

Unfortunately, players once again are out against the Hornets as going into the game LeBron James (left knee soreness/effusion), Anthony Davis (right wrist soreness), Russell Westbrook (right knee soreness) and Avery Bradley (stomach illness) were all listed as questionable.

Frank Vogel revealed some good and bad news pregame though as Westbrook and Bradley are both playing, although James and Davis are not.

This marks the second straight game missed for James, who has some swelling in his knee. It was a longshot that Davis would be able to play regardless since he just came back from a knee injury of his own and it’s a back-to-back, but after suffering the minor wrist injury on Thursday, that tipped the scale to him sitting this one out.

Additionally, Malik Monk was already previously ruled out due to left groin soreness so he will not get the opportunity at a revenge game against the team that drafted him in the lottery and let him walk in free agency last summer.

Without three of their top scorers, the Lakers are going to have to rely on Westbrook to run the show offensively with Carmelo Anthony also having to pick up the slack. Additionally, Dwight Howard and perhaps even DeAndre Jordan will have to play roles without Davis and James, who have been taking up a majority of the center minutes as of late.

On the Hornets’ side of things, they are missing Gordon Hayward due to health and safety protocols so Cody Martin is likely to get another start in his place.

Even without Hayward though, the Hornets still have plenty of firepower at their disposal with LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier and Miles Bridges in their starting lineup and PJ Washington and Kelly Oubre Jr. coming off the bench.

The Hornets are one of the best offensive teams in the league, ranking third in offensive rating, so the Lakers will have their hands full on the defensive end.

Lakers (24-25) vs. Hornets (27-22)

4:30 p.m. PT, Jan. 28, 2022
Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
TV: ESPN, Spectrum SportsNet
Radio: 710 AM ESPN LA

Projected Lakers Starting Lineup:

PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Avery Bradley
SF: Stanley Johnson
PF: Carmelo Anthony
C: Dwight Howard

Key Reserves: Austin Reaves, Talen Horton-Tucker, Trevor Ariza, Wayne Ellington

Projected Hornets Starting Lineup:

PG: LaMelo Ball
SG: Terry Rozier
SF: Cody Martin
PF: Miles Bridges
C: Mason Plumlee

Key Reserves: PJ Washington, Kelly Oubre Jr., James Bouknight, Ish Smith

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

Daniel Starkand is a graduate from Chapman University with a degree in journalism and broadcast journalism. He grew up in Burbank, Calif. and played baseball at Burbank High and his first two years at Chapman. Along with serving as the managing editor for LakersNation.com, Daniel also serves as a senior writer, editor and social media manager for DodgerBlue.com Contact: daniel@mediumlargela.com