NBA

The Lakers’ defensive woes also proved costly in the loss to the Hornets

ballervisions 2026年1月16日

On Thursday night, the Lakers led by 13 points in the second half before the Charlotte Hornets rallied to make it 15 points in the third.

In the end, the Hornets kept the momentum they stole from the Lakers, cruising to a 135-117 win at Crypto.com Arena.

The Lakers defense couldn’t stop LaMelo Ball in the second half and couldn’t stop the Hornets from making 20 three-pointers.

This led to the Lakers (24-15) losing for the fourth time in five games.

Read more: Lakers’ JJ Redick defends LeBron James amid ‘negative’ criticism

“I mean, it doesn’t matter who it is. It doesn’t matter the team, it doesn’t matter the player,” Marcus Smart said. “If they were shooting 20% [before]they shot 50%. And it’s unfortunate, but that’s part of the game. It’s difficult. We have to understand it. We have to play with a little more urgency in that, especially, and put our will.

“It’s not easy. Especially when you play for the Lakers, you’re always being hunted – no matter what.”

The Hornets (15-26) shot 53 percent from the field and 54 percent from three-point range in the second half. Ball scored 27 of his 30 points in the second half. After the Lakers closed to within 10 points with 2 minutes and 30 seconds left in the fourth, Ball’s back-to-back three-pointer sealed the game.

“He had some crazy shots, but that’s what he does,” said Luka Doncic, who scored 39 points. “He was shooting a lot of threes … so he got really hot. So it’s hard to stop him.”

Charlotte forward Brandon Miller looks to pass in front of Lakers star LeBron James in the first quarter on Thursday. (Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)

Even with all of the Lakers’ starters scoring in double figures, it wasn’t enough. LeBron James, who did not speak to reporters after the game, has 29 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Jake LaRavia had 18 points, Deandre Ayton had 12 points and Smart had 10.

The start of the game was very different for the Lakers.

Doncic blew kisses to the crowd and threw his hands in the air after scoring in the first quarter. Doncic smiled on the Lakers bench after hitting another 3-pointer moments later.

In those moments, Doncic exuded the kind of excitement Lakers coach JJ Redick wants his team to show.

The rest of the Lakers followed Doncic’s lead as the team built a 48-55 lead in the second quarter.

Doncic led the Lakers in the first quarter, scoring 19 points on seven-of-12 shooting, including three from three. The Lakers had 14 three-pointers in the game, but it wasn’t enough to stop Charlotte’s relentless attack.

The Lakers were outscored 34-16 in the second quarter, 40-38 in the third and 31-24 in the fourth.

“We all knew they got our full respect and attention before the game and I thought we battled,” Redick said. “Just another team having a hot night of shooting.”

etc.

Redick said backup center Jaxson Hayes had an MRI scan that revealed hamstring tendinopathy in his left leg. Hayes, who is averaging 6.3 points per game, has missed two games with an injury. “Hopefully it’s temporary and hopefully he’ll be back sometime this weekend,” Redick said. The Lakers play in Portland on Saturday before facing the Toronto Raptors at home on Sunday.

Read more: Luka Doncic plays and scores 27 points as the Lakers beat the Hawks

This story first appeared in the Los Angeles Times.