The Los Angeles Lakers returned to action after enjoying the All-Star break, but things didn’t get off to a great start, as they suffered an upset 100-97 defeat at the hands of the lowly Charlotte Hornets.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets had an unusual game on Wednesday, facing off after their trade for Mark Williams fell apart. It was the first game Williams played for Charlotte since he reportedly failed his physical and then had to return to the team that had agreed on a deal that would send him to Los Angeles.

In an alternate reality, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Mark Williams all teamed up to throttle the Charlotte Hornets last night. Instead, it was Williams, LaMelo Ball, and Miles Bridges who guided the Hornets to a shocking road upset over the Los Angeles Lakers.

It was a three-day whirlwind for Mark Williams. At first, when the Hornets dealt him to the Lakers on Feb. 5 as their Anthony Davis replacement, he was shocked. Then, he was excited — the third-year center instantly went from a rebuilding Charlotte team to a Los Angeles group that already featured LeBron James and just added Luka Doncic in a stunning blockbuster.

In the professional sports world, the Lakers are getting a true stand-alone, prime-time affair Wednesday. With every other NBA team off, the NHL breaking for their wildly entertaining “Four Nations” tournament and baseball yet to start,

Following the trade of Anthony Davis for Mark Williams, the Lakers knew they needed a new starting center. They needed someone to take over all of the things that Davis could do. Los Angeles then tried to make a move at the trade deadline to fix that issue.

The Los Angeles Lakers knew they needed another center after the trade with Mark Williams fell through. Jaxson Hayes is going to have to be the starting center for the rest of the season. Even so, they needed a backup center because they didn't really have anyone else on the roster who could fit that bill.

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht has had an eventful two weeks. After it was reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania on Feb. 5 that Knecht was being traded to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for center Mark Williams,

Relive LeBron James' epic dunk and his remarks about not teaming up with Mark Williams in the aftermath of the Lakers rescinding the trade.

LeBron James reacts to facing Mark Williams after his trade to the Lakers was rescinded. See what he had to say about the matchup!

Wednesday night was not quite an ideal evening for the Los Angeles Lakers and their fans, but it was for people always on the lookout for a LeBron James highlight. With the Lakers down by two points with under seven minutes left in regulation against the Charlotte Hornets,