Hello, Lakers Nation. Welcome in to the Lakersnation.com podcast. My name's Trevor Lane, and it's game day. Lakers versus Hornets tonight, 7.30 p.m. Pacific time. I'll be live right here on the Lakers Nation.com YouTube channel, doing a little play-by-play breaking down the game. You never know. Stu the studio cat might even make an appearance. Come hang out. It's like a party. Lakers Hornets tonight, 7.30 p.m. Pacific time. On today's show, I want to get into the injury report, plus what the Lakers need to do in order to get the win over the Hornets, which may be a little bit trickier than it might appear at first glance. Before I dive into everything, quick reminder, do subscribe right here to the Lakersnation.com

YouTube channel. If you're listening to over on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, wherever you listen to

podcasts, we'd appreciate a five-star rating and review. All right, let's kick things off with the

injury update here. The Lakers say that Jackson Hayes is questionable for tomorrow against

the Hornets dealing with left hamstring

soreness. But honestly, that is fantastic news after Hayes was not available last game

against the Atlanta Hawks and was dealing with this hamstring issue.

Reportedly had imaging done. We don't have the results as I'm recording this of that

imaging that was done. So the fact that he's just questionable, that tells you that there wasn't anything too significant found on the imaging and is a fantastic sign for the Lakers. You definitely need Jackson Hayes out there. That said, I kind of like the small ball look, not at the expense of Jackson Hayes, but I do hope that the small ball option, now that Rui Hachamura is back in action is more of an

arrow in the quiver of the Lakers and coach J.J. Reddick, if it's something they can turn to when

the situation calls for it. That's the key. It's got to be when the situation calls for it.

But I think there's something there with that that could be interesting to continue to explore.

And that's LeBron, Rui, Vando, La Ravia,

at least three of those players out there on the floor at the same time without a traditional

five. I wouldn't mind seeing some of that. And maybe tonight will be an opportunity to do that

because the Hornets do have not a lengthy injury report, but they do have some deficiencies,

particularly at the center position.

Maybe the Lakers will be able to take advantage of that.

Austin Reeves and a due zero are still out.

Austin Reeves still a Laker, regardless of what Rich Paul says.

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist, but it's not, I think that got a lot made of it, but I talked about

yesterday, the whole Rich Paul thing about trading. And then he talked about it again on the next

...