## Charlotte Hornets reveal patched-together starting lineup vs. Hawks ### Dennis Smith Jr. and Kelly Oubre Jr. will start in the backcourt The Charlotte Hornets will be without several key players when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night. LaMelo Ball (ankle), Terry Rozier (ankle), Gordon Hayward (shoulder), and Cody Martin (knee) have all been ruled out for the game. As a result, the Hornets will be forced to start a patched-together lineup. Dennis Smith Jr. and Kelly Oubre Jr. will start in the backcourt, while Jalen McDaniels, PJ Washington, and Mason Plumlee will start in the frontcourt. Smith Jr. has started 15 games for the Hornets this season, averaging 8.5 points and 5.8 assists per game. Oubre Jr. has started 20 games, averaging 15.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. McDaniels has started 19 games, averaging 10.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Washington has started 22 games, averaging 14.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Plumlee has started all 24 games he has played in, averaging 10.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. The Hornets will be hoping to snap a two-game losing streak against the Hawks. Atlanta has won the last two meetings between the two teams, including a 113-105 victory in Charlotte on November 25. The Hornets are 10-14 on the season, while the Hawks are 11-13.
