The Los Angeles Lakers managed to hold off a late surge from the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night, securing a 124-118 road victory and extending their winning streak to three games. With this win, the Lakers wrapped up their Grammy trip with a solid 4-2 record and improved to two games above .500 for the season.
D’Angelo Russell bounced back from a couple of average offensive performances with a stellar showing, pouring in 28 points on 10-21 shooting overall and 5-12 from beyond the arc. Anthony Davis notched his second triple-double of the season, contributing 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists, while LeBron James added 26 points and seven assists, including a couple of highlight-reel dunks. Austin Reaves had a modest scoring night with nine points but made his presence felt with 11 assists.
Although the Lakers started slowly, falling behind 11-4 early on, they quickly regained control with a 9-2 run and never relinquished their lead. Despite some unnecessary drama in the fourth quarter, they managed to maintain their composure and secure the win.
Taurean Prince continued his solid play off the bench, scoring five points in the opening frame and contributing to the Lakers’ early success. With Jarred Vanderbilt sidelined for at least 3-4 weeks due to injury, players like Max Christie will need to step up defensively and fill the void. Christie showed promise in the second quarter, displaying his aggressiveness attacking the basket and making defensive plays.
Russell was the standout performer for the Lakers in the first half, lighting up the scoreboard with 22 points on efficient shooting. The Lakers’ offense clicked on all cylinders, tying a season-high with 74 points in the first half and building a comfortable 16-point lead heading into halftime.
Despite a brief run by the Hornets to start the third quarter, the Lakers responded emphatically after a timeout, stifling any hopes of a comeback. Reaves and Davis continued to make plays, with Davis securing his triple-double with an impressive assist to Christian Wood.
Although the Hornets made a late push in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to single digits, the Lakers managed to maintain their lead. Russell and James made crucial plays down the stretch to keep the Hornets at bay, and a key defensive stop by Davis sealed the victory for the Lakers.
Overall, it was a positive outcome for the Lakers, who managed to defeat a struggling Hornets team and finish their road trip on a high note. While there were some tense moments late in the game, the Lakers ultimately got the job done and secured a much-needed win.