The Hornets vs Lakers clash on January 16, 2026, ended in a decisive 135-117 victory for Charlotte at Crypto.com Arena. Despite Luka Doncic’s 39 points and LeBron James’ 29, the Lakers’ defense faltered against Charlotte’s relentless three-point shooting.
Hornets vs Lakers Game Highlights
The Lakers started strong, building a 13-point lead in the second quarter behind Doncic’s hot shooting. He scored 19 points in the first quarter alone, thrilling the home crowd. But Charlotte responded with a blistering third quarter, outscoring Los Angeles 40-38 and hitting nine of 17 three-pointers.
LaMelo Ball was the catalyst, scoring 15 points in the third and finishing with 30 overall, including 27 in the second half. His back-to-back threes in the final minutes sealed the win after the Lakers had cut the deficit to 10.
Hornets vs Lakers Key Performers
- LaMelo Ball (CHA): 30 points, 11 assists, clutch shooting in the second half.
- Luka Doncic (LAL): 39 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and a trio of first-quarter threes.
- LeBron James (LAL): 29 points, 6 rebounds, steady scoring throughout.
Charlotte’s balanced attack saw four players combine for more than 100 points, while the Lakers had all starters in double figures but lacked defensive stops.
Hornets vs Lakers: What’s Next for Both Teams
The loss marked the Lakers’ fourth in five games, dropping their home record to 11-8 and overall to 24-15. Defensive lapses and second-half collapses are becoming a troubling trend. Coach JJ Redick emphasized team connection before the game, but the Lakers struggled to maintain it under pressure.
The Hornets improved to 15-26 overall and 8-14 on the road, showing resilience and confidence in their young core.
In injury news, Lakers backup center Jaxson Hayes remains sidelined with hamstring tendinopathy. Redick hopes for a weekend return as the Lakers prepare to face Portland on Saturday and Toronto on Sunday.
The Lakers must regroup quickly to avoid slipping further in the standings. Defensive lapses and inconsistent second-half efforts are becoming a troubling trend. If they hope to contend, tightening up on defense and sustaining momentum will be key.
Lakers injury updates and rotation analysis: https://www.nba.com/lakers/news
Hornets player stats and season progress:https://www.nba.com/hornets/stats