Is LeBron James playing tonight against the Charlotte Hornets? | January 2nd, 2023 | 2022-23 NBA Season

Coming off a 130-121 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, LeBron James and the LA Lakers will be back in action Monday night. This time, they are set to face off against LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets.

Prior to their meeting with the Hawks, LeBron James found himself on the injury report. The four-time MVP finds himself there again, but Lakers fans shouldn't be too worried.

LeBron James will be available against the Hornets after suffering left ankle soreness. Given that LA has had the past two days off, he's ready to suit up in purple & gold.

LeBron James was questionable against Atlanata and ended up putting on a dominant performance on his 38th birthday. He fell just shy of a triple-double with 47 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.

With respect to the standings, the Hornets are one of the few teams having a worse start to the year than the Lakers. They currently sit with a record of 10-27, good for just 14th in the Eastern Conference.

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LeBron James is showing no signs of slowing down

Part of what has cemented LeBron James as one of the greatest players ever is his longevity. Simply put, nobody has ever been this good for this long.

Even in Year 20, the LA Lakers superstar is still performing at a high level. His near 50-point triple-double was just the latest in multiple strong showings in recent weeks. James is doing all he can to keep the team competitive while Anthony Davis recovers from a foot injury.

Many of the greats have managed to hang around for two decades, but not to this degree. What "King James" is doing right now is truly something special.

This recent run might also be a message to the Lakers' front office to get a trade done to upgrade the roster. Before getting injured, Anthony Davis was playing at an MVP level. Pair that with James still performing at a high level and LA has a shot at being a tough out in the playoffs.

If LeBron James and the Lakers want any shot at the postseason, moves need to be made. It's clear that LA's supporting cast is not strong enough to compete with the other teams in the Western Conference.

Similar to the Atlanta Hawks, the Charlotte Hornets are a beatable team for the Lakers. This is a golden opportunity for them to keep the momentum rolling after getting two whole days of rest and recovery.