Kemba Walker spent the first eight seasons of his career and made three All-Star teams as a member of the Charlotte Hornets before leaving in free agency over the summer and joining the Boston Celtics. Walker will make his first trip back to Charlotte when the Celtics visit the Hornets on Thursday.

The San Antonio Spurs dropped three of their last four games and are hoping to bounce back during a three-game homestand. The Spurs will try to avoid a third consecutive setback when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.

Phoenix star guard Devin Booker strives for another high-scoring effort when the rising Suns host the Miami Heat on Thursday. Booker scored 40 points on 15-of-19 shooting in a 114-109 home win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, giving Phoenix a third straight win as part of a 5-2 start.

Kawhi Leonard is expected to be back in the lineup when the Los Angeles Clippers host the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday. Leonard sat out the front end of a back-to-back Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks and the league backed Los Angeles' decision to hold him out of the nationally televised showdown with reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.