For the second time this week, the Lakers put up an embarrassing performance as they were run off the floor by the Hornets on Thursday, 135-117.
The Lakers led by as many as 13 points in the first quarter
and held a nine-point advantage heading into the second period. However, they lost each of the next three quarters, including being outscored 34-16 in the second.
Charlotte shot 20-43 from the 3-point line, led by LaMelo Ball’s 9-17 shooting from range for 30 points.
The triples were falling early for the Lakers as everyone not named Deandre Ayton knocked down a three. Luka Dončić was leading the team with six points while Marcus Smart was close behind with five as LA built a double-digit lead.
Los Angeles had no answer for Miles Bridges, who was the first player on either team to score in double figures with 11 points.
Charlotte’s rookie Kon Knueppel scored four in a row. Luka responded with eight points of his own to help keep the Lakers in charge. A quick surge of seven points for the Hornets cut the deficit to six.
A 3-pointer from Luka as the quarter ended gave the purple and gold a nine-point lead going into the second.
The Hornets made it a four-point game early in the second. LA’s offense became stagnant as Charlotte started heating up. Los Angeles was on a three-minute scoring drought that took them completely out of the game.
At the 6:21 mark, the game was tied.
Charlotte’s lead grew to four and it forced a timeout by the Lakers to regroup as their scoring drought reached five and a half minutes.
Jake LaRavia drained a 3-pointer to finally get back on the board. However, LA still had no answers for Bridges, who was perfect from the field. With 2:40 left until halftime, Los Angeles was down by seven.
The Hornets ended the half on a prolonged 41-19 scoring run dating back to the 1:52 mark of the first quarter. They went into halftime up by nine.
LeBron James opened the second half with a much-needed 3-pointer.
However, things got even worse for LA as LaMelo Ball drained two 3-pointers and Bridges continued his perfect game with another triple. After having just three points in the first half, Ball quickly got to 15 points.
Los Angeles responded well by cutting Charlotte’s lead to single digits to stay within striking distance. Despite the defensive issues, LA’s offense was keeping them in it.
Luka was now at 34 points for the game after connecting on a triple that forced a timeout by Charlotte. Out of the break, LeBron converted on a layup as he took over the scoring.
It didn’t matter, though, as Los Angeles was down by 11 going into the fourth period.
The final frame opened with LaRavia converting on two free throws. LaRavia also knocked down a much-needed triple for LA. After a jump shot from Brandon Miller, the Lakers scored four in a row, which cut the deficit to six.
All five starters for Los Angeles were now in double figures.
Charlotte responded well, pushing it back to a double-digit lead. Things then went from bad to worse to disgusting. LA looked like they didn’t care anymore and couldn’t find an ounce of defense as the Hornets’ lead continued to grow.
LeBron tried to give the team some life, but it didn’t matter as two more 3-pointers from Ball put the final nails in the coffin of an awful Lakers performance.
Key Player Stats
Dončić ended with 39 points, three rebounds and four assists. LeBron scored 29 points with nine rebounds and six assists. Smart pitched in with 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
LaRavia notched 18 points with three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Ayton had 12 points with six rebounds.
The Lakers’ next matchup will be against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday at 7:00 PM PT.
You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.
