The Lakers are restarting after the All-Star break, and let’s face it, this is where the real game begins. They need to get their engines revving for the last stretch, and now that Luka Doncic‘s in the mix, the whole team is on a new vibe. Gone are the days of a dominant big-man approach. It’s all about that perimeter game. Sounds fun? But wait, there is just one thing that every Lakers fan is chirping about ahead of tonight’s matchup-is LeBron in?

Do you remember the Mark Williams trade that completely blew up? The one that blew up faster than their playoff hopes? Well, here’s the kicker – Williams is still in Charlotte while the Lakers were looking for more frontcourt depth. But hey, all jokes aside, both teams have dealt with their own problems heading into this one, and injuries play quite a large role that could shake things up.

LeBron James’ Status & Key Injury Updates for Lakers vs Hornets

Is LeBron good? There was a small problem of foot and ankle discomfort, thus he was out for what would have been his record-setting 21st All-Star Game. The Lakers have him listed as day-to-day but questionable, but he is LeBron. He has played through worse, and if nothing bad happens, he’s likely on the floor. The guy has been playing through some injuries all season long and will probably be in the lineup. If history is any guide, he isn’t going to sit this one out unless he absolutely has to.

The good news is that Luka Doncic is ready to return, although with a restriction on his minutes. The Lakers have been facilitating him back into the action after executing that big trade before the deadline, and don’t forget, even in limited minutes, he can still be a monster. In the two games against Utah, he still dropped 30-9-8 in total. If LeBron sits this one out, you can bet Luka’ll have to shoulder even more of the load.

As for the rest of the squad—Jaxson Hayes (facial contusion), Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle), Gabe Vincent, and Cam Reddish? All off the injury report, signaling they are good to go.

Now, for Charlotte—the big news is that LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams, who were originally expected to miss this one, are now probable. That’s huge for the Hornets, especially since LaMelo is their entire offense when he’s healthy. Meanwhile, Josh Okogie (hamstring), Tre Mann (back surgery), and Grant Williams (ACL) are OUT. Moussa Diabate? Day-to-day.

What The Lakers Need To Do To Win: Lineups, Strategy & Key Matchups

Projected lineups for tonight’s showdown:

Lakers:

PG: Luka Doncic

SG: Austin Reaves

SF: Rui Hachimura

PF: LeBron James (if available), Jarred Vanderbilt

C: Alex Len, Jaxson Hayes

Hornets:

PG: Elfrid Payton

SG: Nick Smith Jr.

SF: Josh Green

PF: Miles Bridges

C: Moussa Diabate (day-to-day)

Historically, the Lakers have had the upper hand in this matchup—they lead the all-time series 43-25. L.A. pulled off a 112-107 win on January 27 the last time these two teams squared off. It was close, though, so the Hornets aren’t just getting rolled over.

via Imago Feb 10, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) takes the ball down court as forward LeBron James (23) looks on against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

If the Lakers want to take care of business tonight, attacking the paint is the move. Charlotte doesn’t have much size inside, if Mark Williams doesn’t play, so getting downhill and finishing at the rim should be a priority. If Luka and Reaves can control the pace, the Lakers should be in full control of the offense.

Defensively, Miles Bridges is the guy to watch. With LaMelo potentially back, though, Bridges has been Charlotte’s main offensive weapon lately. If the Lakers can limit him, the Hornets are gonna have a tough time keeping up.

The Lakers have been on a rollercoaster ride this year—first, the LA fires pushed this game back from January 9th, then came the blockbuster Luka trade, and let’s not forget the drama of a failed Hornets deal. With all this chaos, do the hoopsters have the mental toughness to stay locked in and chase that playoff dream?

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One of the most surprising elements of Manchester United’s trip to Tottenham on Sunday was Joshua Zirkzee’s performance. He might finally have secured a role in Ruben Amorim’s system.

Zirkzee has been battling with Rasmus Hojlund for the right to lead the line at Old Trafford, but he has rarely looked like a natural No.9, preferring to drop off into spaces and take up deeper positions to link with teammates.

Amorim doesn’t want that from his centre-forward, and the Dutch attacker has never looked a natural fit in that position. Hojlund has the attributes to play that role but is desperately short of form and confidence, having not scored since December 12, which has led to rotation with Zirkzee.

The injury crisis last week led to the two forwards starting together for only the second time this season. On the previous occasion, Zirkzee lasted just 33 minutes, and he was booed when he was replaced against Newcastle, his United career seemingly hanging by a thread.

He has shown character in recovering from that nightmare evening, one that left him visibly emotional as he left the pitch. At Tottenham, he produced what was probably his best performance for the club, although he should have done better with the only big chance he had, glancing a header wide in the second half.

But in the build-up play he was excellent, showing outstanding close control and nimble footwork to keep possession and manipulate space, often poking the ball either past or through the legs of unsuspecting opponents. He was a key part of United’s attack, and when they enjoyed good spells at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Zirkzee was often at the heart of things.

With Amad out for the rest of the season, a space has opened up in those attacking roles behind a striker. Amorim has been reluctant to play Bruno Fernandes there because he is needed in a deeper midfield role. Although Casemiro came in at the weekend, Amoirm doesn’t trust him or Kobbie Mainoo there, and when Manuel Ugarte returns, he will partner Fernandes once more.

That leaves Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho as the other options as No.10s. Both have played well in those positions, but Mainoo is out for a few weeks, and they won’t be able to play every game anyway. With Antony and Marcus Rashford leaving in January, United were short of attacking options even before Amad’s season ended prematurely.

Zirkee showed enough at Spurs to get another opportunity in that role, and that will likely come at Everton this weekend, with Mainoo still missing out. That means Hojlund starts again as No.9.

But if both of the striking options left to Amorim are starting games, it will open up opportunities for teenager Chido Obi. The 17-year-old has 12 goals in 12 games for the academy this season and made his professional debut in injury time at Tottenham, although he was given no time to make an impression.

He will almost certainly keep his place on the bench this weekend, and if Zirkzee and Hojlund start together again, he will be in line for another cameo as a substitute. United are keen to keep the expectations around the striker realistic, but his form at youth level since signing from Arsenal has been excellent, and injuries and a lack of activity in January have handed him this promotion.

Obi can expect more chances off the bench between now and the end of the season, and his opportunities will be greater if Zirkzee continues in this form.

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz commander Col. Jeffery Higgins and other garrison…… read more read more Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz commander Col. Jeffery Higgins and other garrison senior leaders meet with Col. Olaf Tuneke and Lt. Col. Andreas Orth of the Bundeswehr Artillery School and General of Artillery in Idar-Oberstein Feb. 12 to discuss a shared understanding of the respective missions and areas of responsibilities. see less | View Image Page

BAUMHOLDER, Germany – U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz commander Col. Jeffery Higgins met with Col. Olaf Tuneke, commander of the Bundeswehr Artillery School and General of Artillery in Idar-Oberstein Feb. 12.

Colonel Tuneke and deputy, Lt. Col. Andreas Orth provided a tour of the modern training facilities to the USAG Rheinland-Pfalz commander, the Deputy Garrison Manager for Baumholder, Mark Colbrook and Directorate of Plans and Operations Officer, Rodney Harris, while the leaders discussed their respective missions and areas of responsibilities.

“USAG Rheinland-Pfalz provides the active, tenant units with everything they need to fulfill their military missions,” Higgins explained. “That includes security, infrastructure, housing and schools, among other quality life services.”

The German hosts briefed the mission and training opportunities that the artillery school supports.

“Freedom, peace, security and responsibility are goals that Europe and the United States have shared for decades and characterize our transatlantic partnership. It is our task to carry these into the future,” said Tuneke.

Following initial briefings, the garrison commander and team were able to try out two modern simulators demonstrated by Bundeswehr personnel.

“Multi-national cooperation between militaries is the key to success these days,” Tuneke expressed. “Partnerships with our allies is very important to us.”

The leaders posed for a commemorative photo in front of the historic gun on “Platz der Artillerie” before exchanging military tokens representative of continued partnerships.

“The information I received today exceeded my expectations,” said Higgins, presenting Tuneke and Orth each with a garrison commander’s coin, “Thank you very much.”

U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz serves, supports, and secures the total force community enabling power projection for the European Theater.