Anthony Davis led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-118 victory over the short-handed Charlotte Hornets on Monday night, recording his third career triple-double with 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists. The win marked the Lakers' third straight victory, as they continue to find their rhythm at a crucial time with the NBA trade deadline looming.
D'Angelo Russell contributed 28 points, while LeBron James added 26 points to ensure the Lakers finished their road trip with a 4-2 record, providing them with some much-needed momentum. Davis expressed confidence in the team's ability, stating that they can beat any team in the league when they focus defensively and play the right way.
The uncertainty surrounding the Lakers' roster remains as the trade deadline approaches. Rumors have been swirling around the In-Season Tournament champions, leaving fans and analysts curious about how the team will look post-deadline. However, when asked about the personnel in the locker room and its potential to win an NBA title, LeBron James emphasized his satisfaction with the current team and focused solely on their performance on the court.
On the Hornets' side, Miles Bridges had a career-high 41 points, while rookie Brandon Miller scored 33 points with five 3-pointers. Despite the individual performances, the Hornets suffered their eighth consecutive loss since trading Terry Rozier to Miami. Miller's back-to-back 30-point games made him the first Hornets rookie to achieve this feat, and he credited his teammates for their support and confidence in his abilities.
The Lakers dominated the first half, shooting an impressive 64% from the field. They built a comfortable 16-point lead heading into halftime, with Russell contributing 22 points and James adding 17. James showcased his talents with a series of highlight plays, including a powerful dunk over 7-foot center Nick Richards.
Anthony Davis proved too difficult to contain for the undersized Hornets, who were missing center Mark Williams due to a back injury. Lakers coach Darvin Ham praised Davis' ability to overcome double-teams and make the right reads on the court. Davis' performance was a result of his diligent film study and communication with his teammates.
Although the Lakers extended their lead to 21 points in the third quarter, the Hornets fought back behind Brandon Miller's 16 points in the final quarter. Miller intercepted a pass from Lakers' player Austin Reaves and converted it into a fast-break dunk, followed by two consecutive 3-pointers that narrowed the Lakers' lead to just four points with two minutes remaining.
However, the Lakers managed to hold off the Hornets' late surge. Davis tipped Miles Bridges' step-back 3-point attempt, preventing them from making it a one-possession game. Austin Reaves then converted two clutch free throws to secure the victory for the Lakers.
Looking ahead, the Lakers will face the Denver Nuggets at home on Thursday night, while the Hornets will host the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, marking their third home game in four nights. The Lakers will hope to continue their winning streak and maintain their momentum as the trade deadline approaches, while the Hornets will be seeking to break their eight-game losing streak.
