Charlotte Hornets vs Portland Trail Blazers GameThread

Holy crap.

Guys.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is back! He was cleared to play this morning by the Hornets' medical staff. He'll be in uniform tonight, and it sounds like he'll be playing, too. Head coach Steve Clifford, who's generally conservative when bringing players back from injury, had this to say:

#Hornets HC Steve Clifford says Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will start immediately whenever he's cleared to play. Says "he's what we're lacking."

— Chris Kroeger (@Kroeger) January 22, 2016

This is the happiest I've been this year. He's two months ahead of schedule. Unbelievable.

Our own Reinis Lacis put together a wonderful piece on who to pair MKG with. Check it out at the half!

In other, semi-related news, Jeremy Lin is out after tweaking his ankle against the Utah Jazz. He'll join Al Jefferson on the bench, who's also out. Jeremy Lamb is listed as questionable tonight.

And here's some pregame banter from Frank Kaminsky and Starbucks to make you smile:

At @Starbucks where Frank is spelled "Craig" #CraigAtStarbucks pic.twitter.com/sa9Dnko9f2

— Frank Kaminsky III (@FSKPart3) January 29, 2016

I feel as disrespected as Seattle felt when you sold the Supersonics (cc: @spencerhawes00 ) https://t.co/c3SuS79UUh

— Frank Kaminsky III (@FSKPart3) January 29, 2016

But that's not why you're here. You know the drill: Grab some snacks and get to a TV. It's time for Hornets basketball!