The Hornets got within four points in the final seconds but couldn’t pull out the win.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Anthony Davis scored 26 points in a triple-double as the Los Angeles Lakers held off a fleeting comeback from the Charlotte Hornets.
The Lakers (27-25) led by 21 points in the third quarter before rookies Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges led a frantic run that brought the Hornets (10-39) within four points in the final minute.
Bridges had a chance to bring Charlotte within a point in the final minute, but his 3-point attempt was blocked by Davis. Miller missed another shot from behind the arc a few seconds later. Los Angeles ultimately held the score 124-118. The Hornets have now lost eight games in a row.
Davis finished with 26 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists. D’Angelo Russell led the Lakers with 28 points. LeBron James has 26 points.
The Hornets were led by Bridges with 41 points. Miller had 33 points in one night after scoring a career-high 35 points against the Indiana Pacers. The second highest scoring Charlotte player is PJ Washington with just 15 points.
“[Miller] just does what you don’t teach,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. “He has great size. He will have the ability to play football when he grows up. Right now we need him to score goals and that’s what he does.”
Charlotte played on the second night of back-to-back games, but looked much faster than in Sunday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers. The Hornets are once again without LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward and Mark Williams.
Los Angeles got off to a fast start and led 37-29 after the first quarter. The two teams tied their scores early in the second half, with the Lakers leading 74-58 at halftime.
The Hornets gradually worked toward a comeback in the third quarter. After a quiet first half, it was Miller’s turn as the rookie came alive with 16 points in the fourth quarter.
Charlotte outscored Los Angeles 60-50 in the second half, but couldn’t seal the deal for an epic comeback.
The Hornets next play on Wednesday when they host the Toronto Raptors.