CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Anthony Davis delivered an impressive performance, scoring 42 points and grabbing 23 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers clinched their fourth consecutive victory by defeating the Charlotte Hornets 112-107 on Monday night. Davis’s explosive first quarter allowed the Lakers to establish a commanding 23-point lead early in the game. LeBron James contributed 22 points, while Austin Reaves added 17, helping the Lakers maintain control throughout the matchup without ever falling behind.
Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 26 points in a game that took a downturn when LaMelo Ball suffered a left ankle injury in the second quarter. The injury occurred when he stepped awkwardly on Jarred Vanderbilt’s foot after making a three-point jumper while backpedaling down the court.
The evening was intended to be a highlight for the Hornets as their game was broadcasted live on local over-the-air television across the Carolinas for the first time since the 2007-08 season, offering the franchise an opportunity to expand its viewership. However, the anticipated excitement quickly faded.
In a dominating display, Davis scored 21 points in the first quarter, shooting 9-of-12 from the field while securing 11 rebounds, propelling the Lakers to a 39-19 advantage. His ability to score freely left Hornets’ big man Mark Williams struggling to match up defensively, particularly as Davis hit several open fadeaway jumpers. Four of the Lakers’ starters logged more than 36 minutes on the court during the contest.
For the Hornets, Ball’s absence is concerning as he has faced numerous injuries throughout his career, missing 158 games thus far. Despite averaging 28.9 points this season, he was not selected as an All-Star starter, even though he topped the voting among Eastern Conference guards.
A key moment came when the Hornets managed to narrow the gap to six points with just a minute remaining in the game. Dorian Finney-Smith responded with a spectacular drive, soaring for a dunk over Bridges, helping to secure the win for the Lakers.
In a noteworthy statistic, the Los Angeles team opened the game by making 14 of their first 16 field goal attempts. Looking ahead, the Lakers will face off against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, while the Hornets prepare to host the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.
