Since the second half of the 2020-21 season tipped off, the Los Angeles Lakers have played with the energy and tenacity they visibly lacked in weeks leading up to the All-Star break.
L.A. extended their post-All-Star winning streak to four games after beating the Charlotte Hornets, 116-105, on Thursday night. The Lakers jumped right back into the battle for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference moving up to just 1.5 games behind the currently first-placed Utah Jazz.
Head coach Frank Vogel acknowledged his team was looking forward to a few extra days of rest during the mid-season intermission.