Get ready for a clash of titans! On January 12, 2026, the Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Clippers will face off, and the stakes are higher than you might think. Let's dive into what you need to know before the tip-off!
The Matchup:
- Charlotte Hornets (14-25, 12th in the Eastern Conference) will be hitting the road, hoping to extend their three-game road win streak.
- Los Angeles Clippers (15-23, 11th in the Western Conference) will be playing at home in Inglewood, California.
- The game starts at 10:30 p.m. EST.
Key Insights:
- The Clippers have a 9-9 record on their home court.
- Los Angeles allows an average of 113.6 points per game and has been outscored by 1.7 points per game.
- The Hornets have a 7-13 record on the road.
- Charlotte excels in offensive rebounds, ranking fifth in the Eastern Conference with 12.1 per game, led by Grant Williams, who averages 4.0 offensive rebounds.
- The Clippers average 13.2 made 3-pointers per game, the same average the Hornets allow.
- The Hornets score an average of 116.3 points per game, 2.7 more than the 113.6 points the Clippers allow to opponents.
Previous Encounter:
The Clippers won their previous meeting on November 22, with a score of 131-116. James Harden was the star of the show, scoring an impressive 55 points.
Top Performers to Watch:
- Clippers: James Harden is averaging 25.6 points and 7.9 assists. Kawhi Leonard has been on fire, averaging 32.5 points, 7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.7 steals over the last 10 games.
- Hornets: Miles Bridges is contributing 19.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. LaMelo Ball has been hot from beyond the arc, averaging 4.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Recent Performance (Last 10 Games):
- Clippers: Boast an 8-2 record, averaging 115.6 points, 38.2 rebounds, 23.0 assists, 8.9 steals, and 6.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.9 points.
- Hornets: Showed a 5-5 record, averaging 119.9 points, 48.1 rebounds, 27.9 assists, 5.9 steals, and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.3 points.
Injury Report:
- Clippers: Bradley Beal is out for the season (hip), Derrick Jones Jr. is out (knee), and Bogdan Bogdanovic is out (hamstring).
- Hornets: Mason Plumlee is out (groin), and Pat Connaughton is out (illness).
What do you think? Will the Hornets continue their road winning streak, or will the Clippers dominate at home? Share your predictions in the comments below! And, do you think Harden's performance will be a key factor in this game? Let's discuss!
This story was created by The Associated Press using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
