The Los Angeles Lakers and visiting Charlotte Hornets will return from the All-Star break earlier than previously planned when the teams meet for a make-up game Wednesday. Originally scheduled for Jan. 9, the game was postponed due to the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Now, the rescheduled matchup presents a different challenge for Charlotte, as they will face a Lakers squad featuring Luka Doncic, who was acquired by Los Angeles on Feb. 2. Doncic has played two games with his new team, both against the Utah Jazz. He scored 14 points in a home victory over the Jazz on Feb. 10 and 16 points in a road loss last Wednesday. Both games came after he missed a month

Judging by their records, one wouldn’t think the game between Rutgers and Washington on Wednesday night in Seattle has tournament implications. But it does. The visiting Rutgers Scarlet Knights (12-14, 5-10 Big Ten) and the Washington Huskies (13-12, 4-10) are battling for the 15th and final berth into the conference tournament next month in Indianapolis. The Huskies are coming off a 75-73 victory Saturday at Penn State as Mekhi Mason scored 20 points, making a season-high six 3-pointers. DJ Davis and Franck Kepnang scored 14 apiece. Leading scorer Great Osobor (14.9 ppg), despite missing practice with flu-like symptoms, nearly had the first triple-double in school history with six points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. Rutgers has a pair of possible

Approaching the end of an era at Florida State, retiring coach Leonard Hamilton will enjoy one final matchup against his former team, Miami, when the teams meet on Wednesday night in Tallahassee, Fla. The 76-year-old Hamilton, who announced earlier this month that his 23rd season would be his last at the helm of Florida State, coached at Miami from 1990 to 2000. He led the Hurricanes to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 berth in his final season. The Seminoles (15-10, 6-8 ACC) are tied for ninth in the conference standings and likely need to win the ACC tournament to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. One of Florida State’s bright spots is leading scorer Jamir Watkins, who is

Two teams on the cusp of postseason contention are set to clash in a pivotal Big 12 matchup as the West Virginia Mountaineers host the Cincinnati Bearcats on Wednesday night in Morgantown, West Virginia. The Mountaineers (15-10, 6-8 Big 12) are aiming to halt a two-game skid, having dropped three of their last four contests. Their most recent setback was a 74-71 overtime loss at Baylor on Saturday, where free-throw disparities played a significant role. The Bears capitalized on 27 of 32 attempts from the line, while West Virginia managed to convert only 11 of 17. In conference play, the Mountaineers rank last among the 16 teams in both free-throw attempts (184) and makes (124), highlighting an area in need