The Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, January 21, with tip-off set for 7:00 p.m. ET at the Spectrum Center. Cleveland holds a 24-20 record, ranking seventh in the Eastern Conference, while Charlotte sits 12th with a 16-27 mark.
Cleveland enters the matchup on a one-game losing streak following a 104-136 defeat to Oklahoma City on January 19. The Cavaliers had previously beaten Philadelphia 117-115 on January 16. Charlotte is riding a one-game winning streak after a 110-87 win over Denver on January 18 but lost 116-136 to Golden State on January 17.
Injuries will play a major role for both squads. The Cavaliers will be without Darius Garland (right great toe sprain), Max Strus (left foot surgery – Jones fracture), Sam Merrill (right hand sprain), Chris Livingston (G League two-way), and Luke Travers (G League two-way). Garland, averaging 18.0 points and 6.9 assists per game, is a significant absence in Cleveland’s backcourt.
Charlotte will miss Mason Plumlee (right groin surgery), KJ Simpson (left hip flexor strain), PJ Hall (G League two-way), Liam McNeeley (G League on assignment), and Antonio Reeves (G League two-way). Tidjane Salaun is listed as probable with left Achilles tendinopathy.
Cleveland relies heavily on Donovan Mitchell, who averages 29.0 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game, and Evan Mobley, contributing 17.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per contest. With Garland sidelined, Mitchell and Mobley will need to shoulder increased offensive and playmaking responsibilities.
Charlotte’s scoring is led by LaMelo Ball (19.9 points, 7.6 assists) and Brandon Miller (19.8 points, 4.3 rebounds). Miles Bridges adds 19.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabate anchor the paint.
This season, the teams split their previous two matchups. Charlotte won 119-111 in overtime on December 14, while Cleveland claimed a 139-132 victory on December 22.
