The Lakers faced the Hornets in their first game after the All-Star break and suffered a tight loss, ending 100-97. A big moment came when Charlotte surged with a 20-1 run in the second half, which swung the momentum in their favor.
LeBron James was a standout performer, scoring 26 points and adding 11 assists and seven rebounds. Luka Dončić had a rough night shooting, managing only 14 points but contributing eight assists and 11 rebounds. Rui Hachimura provided support with 17 points and eight rebounds.
Dorian Finney-Smith found his rhythm, hitting four out of six three-point attempts for 12 points. Gabe Vincent added six points to the mix, while Austin Reaves, who got ejected late in the third quarter, finished with eight points, two rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.
Dallas got off to a strong start with a quick basket from Josh Green. The game showcased some impressive plays, with LeBron and Luka exchanging assists for fastbreak dunks. LeBron even knocked down two consecutive threes, prompting Charlotte to call a timeout.
After the timeout, the Lakers extended their lead as Charlotte struggled to find their shots. Luckily for LA, Charlotte was also having an off night, shooting just 28.6% from the field. However, Gabe and Dorian hit timely 3-pointers, and Seth Curry drained a buzzer-beater three, ending the first quarter with the Lakers up by seven.
Rui started the second quarter with a jump shot, and Jarred Vanderbilt had a highlight dunk with LeBron assisting him. Despite Luka’s struggles on offense, he managed to hit a signature fadeaway. The turnovers for LA piled up, reaching 11 by the half.
At halftime, the Lakers led 48-37. Both teams were working off rust, with LA shooting 43.2% and Charlotte at 28.6%. It was anyone’s game.
The second half began with turnovers on both sides. Luka made both free throws after being fouled, but LaMelo Ball then hit two deep three-pointers. Austin Reaves answered back with a three of his own, and LeBron threw a perfect lob to Jaxson Hayes for a powerful dunk.
The game was messy, filled with turnovers and frantic plays. Despite grabbing some key rebounds, the Lakers struggled to capitalize, allowing Charlotte to close the gap.
Things took a turn for the worse when Austin Reaves was ejected for two technical fouls, leading to an 11-0 run from the Hornets, putting them up by three at the end of the third quarter.
LaMelo started the final quarter with a long three-pointer, pushing Charlotte’s run to 23-1. Despite the Lakers’ struggle, Rui managed to hit a crucial three to break the Hornets’ momentum. LeBron was relentless, scoring on the drive to keep LA close.
As the final minutes ticked away, both teams traded baskets. LeBron scored 11 points in this quarter alone, including a massive dunk that energized the crowd. Dorian hit another three, and the Lakers momentarily regained the lead.
However, Charlotte’s Bridges sank another three-pointer, pushing them ahead again. The game ended with a frantic finish, but the Lakers couldn’t pull through, missing key shots when they needed them the most.
Key Takeaways:
This loss was tough, but the All-Star break may have affected both teams. The Lakers couldn’t afford to lose control late in the game, especially not against the Hornets.
Let’s not panic. Luka will find his offensive rhythm again with time.
The Lakers’ next challenge is against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday at 7:00 PM PT.
You can follow Karin on Twitter @KarinAbcarians.
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