Jeremy Lin brings consummate professionalism to every game, but some games stoke the emotions more than others. Going against the Lakers obviously means a lot to Lin — a guy who has spent his whole career proving people wrong. Lin spent a strange season in LA last year under the mercurial coaching of Byron Scott, who was passive-aggressive in dishing Lin playing time. Lin would burst out with big games for the Lakers and then not get off the bench two games later. Lin rode out his contract, earned his $15 million, and looked for greener pastures. Hornets owner Michael Jordan offered Lin the opportunity, and he’s capitalized.
The Hornets are probably getting more value out of Lin than any other team is getting for $2 million this year. But following a 50-minute clutch performance in a double OT win against the Kings, Lin was hobbled by an ankle injury and limited to 17 minutes in a loss against the Jazz. Lin is listed as questionable for the Hornets Sunday match-up against the Lakers (9:30pm ET), but he’ll be fired up to play if he can. The Hornets are hammered by injuries (Zeller/Batum/Jefferson — out; Jeremy Lamb also questionable) so if Lin can possibly go, he’ll be out there. The woeful Lakers offer Lin ample opportunity to penetrate and make an impact/statement against his former team — and to show Byron Scott what he’s missing.
INJURY REPORT @hornets
Lin (R ankle) & Lamb (R toe) QUESTIONABLE
Hairston (L elbow) & Roberts (L hand) PROBABLE
Zeller/Batum/Jefferson OUT
— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) January 30, 2016
