Lakers vs. Hornets Preview: The return of Austin Reaves

Lakers (7–3) vs. Hornets (4–6) | Game 11 of 82

📅 Date: Monday, Nov. 10

⏰ Tip-off: 4:00 p.m. PST

📍 Location: Spectrum Center — Charlotte, NC

📺 TV: Spectrum SportsNet, NBA League Pass

📻 Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW

Game Preview

After getting “punched in the mouth” in a 20-point loss in Atlanta, the 7-3 Los Angeles Lakers look to bounce back Monday in Charlotte as they continue their five-game road trip against the Hornets.

Charlotte will be without its All-Star guard LaMelo Ball, who’s sidelined with an ankle injury after averaging 23.3 points, 9.8 assists, and 7.8 rebounds through six games. Miles Bridges, the Hornets’ second-leading scorer at 20.7 points per game, is questionable with a back issue. 

Rookie forward Brandon Miller also remains out with a shoulder injury.

Without Ball and potentially Bridges, the Hornets will rely on Collin Sexton (16.1 PPG, 5.3 APG) and rookie Kon Knueppel (16.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG) to carry the scoring load. 

For the Lakers, Luka Dončić looks to bounce back from his lowest scoring night of the season in Atlanta (22 points).

Austin Reaves will likely make his return from a three-game absence, as he was upgraded from out to questionable and then probable after their afternoon shoot-around in Charlotte.

LeBron James (sciatica), Gabe Vincent (ankle), and Adou Thiero (knee) are all out (still).

Injury Report

Lakers:

• Austin Reaves (groin strain): Probable

• LeBron James (sciatica): Out

• Adou Thiero (ankle): Out

• Gabe Vincent (knee): Out

Hornets:

• LaMelo Ball (ankle): Out

• Miles Bridges (back): Questionable

• Brandon Miller (shoulder): Out

• Grant Williams (knee): Out

• Josh Green (shoulder): Out

• Drew Peterson: Day-to-day (two-way contract)

What to Watch For

Dončić Bounce-Back:

After being limited to 22 points in Atlanta, Dončić will look to reassert control against a Hornets team that ranks in the bottom seven teams in defensive rating. Expect him to bounce back after two underwhelming previous games, shooting 36% (16-of-44).

Ayton’s Paint Presence:

Deandre Ayton has recorded four double-doubles thus far and will have another favorable matchup to add another against Charlotte’s thin frontcourt. The Hornets have struggled to contain physical bigs, giving Ayton a prime opportunity to dominate the glass again.

Knueppel’s Rookie Rise:

Knueppel, the Hornets’ No. 4 overall first-round draft pick, has quietly emerged as one of the Hornets’ most consistent scorers, coming off a career-high 30 points against the Heat. How the Lakers defend him will be something to monitor as he'll look to come out and make his name heard against L.A.

Threads for the Game

The Lakers will wear their classic gold unis in Charlotte, while the Hornets will rock their teal threads.

What’s Next

Following Monday’s matchup, the Lakers continue their five-game road swing through Oklahoma City, New Orleans, and Milwaukee before returning to L.A. next week.