The Charlotte Hornets started fast and rallied late in a 121-111 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night at Spectrum Center.
Led by a 34-point effort from Miles Bridges, the home team got off to a strong offensive start before making it a two-possession game in the final minute of regulation.
Luka Dončić had his way against the Hornets’ defense throughout the night, knocking down five 3-pointers in a 38-point performance. The Lakers’ Austin Reaves added 24 points for the high-scoring backcourt. Los Angeles improved to 8-3 with the win.
The Hornets’ Kon Knueppel recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds and helped his team late. The rookie from Duke got one of his nine assists on a late Bridges 3-pointer — along with knocking down three key free throws in the fourth quarter — as he nearly had a triple-double in 38 minutes.
Point guard Collin Sexton scored in double figures with a 13-point night, and Sion James had seven points. The Hornets trailed by as many as 18 points.
Bridges tossed an alley-oop to Moussa Diabaté that extended the Charlotte lead late in the first half. Diabaté also blocked a Rui Hachimura shot in the first quarter before the Hornets got the ball to Tre Mann, who knocked down the ensuing 3-pointer on the other end.Charlotte cut it to a 10-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter.
A 3-pointer from Liam McNeeley brought it back to single digits, but Bridges fouled Dončić on a made basket, and the Lakers maintained their advantage of at least three possessions until the final minute.
Bridges nailed a 3-pointer from the corner during the final minute that made it 117-111. McNeeley and DeAndre Ayton lined up for a jump ball with 22.4 seconds left, Charlotte eventually got the ball back with a chance — and James missed the 3-point attempt.
What’s next for Charlotte?
The Hornets, who dropped to 3-7, return to Spectrum Center for another home game at 7 p.m. Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks.
