It’s only January, but the 2024-25 NBA season has already made it clear that neither the Charlotte Hornets nor the Utah Jazz will be contenders for a playoff berth. Yet, Wednesday’s game in Salt Lake City offers more than just another midseason matchup—it’s a glimpse into two rebuilding franchises aiming to secure a brighter future. The Charlotte Hornets (8-28) and the Utah Jazz (10-27) are currently among the NBA’s bottom five teams. The Hornets have the third-worst winning percentage in the league (.222), while the Jazz are slightly ahead at fifth-worst (.263). For both teams, the focus has shifted from playoff dreams to development and securing top draft positions. Despite their struggles, each team has shown flashes of potential. These

A once-promising season for the Golden State Warriors has unraveled into a series of setbacks, leaving Stephen Curry and his team searching for solutions. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves, buoyed by a recent surge, are showing signs of life and rising to the challenge. As the two teams prepare to clash, their contrasting trajectories set the stage for a compelling encounter. The Warriors began the season on fire with a 12-3 record, but the flames have since fizzled. Monday’s 104-101 loss to the Toronto Raptors, a team that had just one win in its previous 17 outings, marked their fourth defeat in the last five games. With a record of 19-20, Golden State has dropped below .500 for the first time

After back-to-back postponements caused by devastating wildfires in Southern California, the Los Angeles Lakers faltered under pressure in Monday night’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The Lakers, now on a three-game losing streak, will look to regroup and put together a complete performance as they host the Miami Heat on Wednesday. Miami, currently navigating a challenging road trip, hopes to capitalize on the Lakers’ struggles and build momentum as they approach the midseason mark. The Lakers’ 126-102 loss to the Spurs on Monday spotlighted their struggles, particularly in the fourth quarter. Despite keeping the game competitive through three periods, Los Angeles was outscored 37-13 in the final frame, highlighting issues with late-game execution and defensive lapses. Anthony Davis Shines

The San Antonio Spurs aim to ride the wave of their impressive performance against the Los Angeles Lakers as they prepare to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday in the first of a two-game set in San Antonio. Both teams bring star power and youthful energy, led by Victor Wembanyama for the Spurs and Ja Morant for the Grizzlies. San Antonio (19-19) is back at .500 after a convincing 126-102 victory over the Lakers on Monday. The Spurs turned in their most complete game of the season, excelling on both ends of the floor. The team erased a 10-point deficit late in the third quarter and dominated the final period, outscoring Los Angeles 37-13. Victor Wembanyama led the way with