The Los Angeles Lakers will host the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center on Friday evening.

The Lakers (33-42) have gone just 5-13 since the All-Star Break. It is not the debut season that LeBron James was hoping for in LA, as the team has been eliminated from playoff contention, snapping James' 14-year postseason streak. On top of poor play, the Lakers have been burdened with a long injury list. Brandon Ingram (shoulder), Lonzo Ball (ankle), and Josh Hart (knee) have all had their seasons ended by various complications. The Lakers were without any of the aforementioned players on Tuesday, when they took a 100-115 loss to the Utah Jazz. JaVale McGee continued to be a bright spot during the team's late-season struggles, recording 20 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks despite the loss. The veteran is averaging 14.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game since the start of March.

Charlotte (35-39) is still in the playoff hunt thanks to a four-game win streak. The Hornets currently sit at 10th in the Eastern Conference, 1.5 games behind the eighth-place Heat. Charlotte's most recent win was a commanding 13-point blowout of the San Antonio Spurs. The Hornets were led by Kemba Walker, who scored 38 points, dished out 11 assists, and grabbed nine rebounds in the crucial win. Charlotte's victory over San Antonio came just two nights after the team stunned Toronto with a buzzer-beating upset. The Hornets will hope to keep their momentum going as they seek to re-enter the playoff picture.