The Los Angeles Lakers faced a 100-97 loss against the Charlotte Hornets in their first game back from the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco. Despite winning 10 of their last 12 games, the Lakers failed to capitalize in the final moments, allowing Charlotte to pull off an unexpected victory at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers forward LeBron James led the team with 26 points and 11 assists. Guard Luka Dončić made 11 rebounds. Hornets forward Miles Bridges scored 29 points with center Mark Williams making nine rebounds.
Coming into the game, the Lakers boasted a 6-1 record in their last seven outings while ranking fourth in both offensive and defensive ratings.
The Lakers shot at 50 percent in the first quarter and led 48-37 at halftime. However, the Hornets did not back down. In the third quarter alone, Bridges contributed 11 points. Charlotte also shot seven three-pointers and made three blocks in that timespan.
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With 4:19 left in regulation, both teams were tied at 88. Shortly after, both teams began trading baskets.
With 6.8 seconds left, Charlotte guard LaMelo Ball sank two free throws, pushing the Hornets ahead 100-97. James attempted a three-pointer to force overtime but missed. The Lakers managed to recover the ball, but James missed again.
While the Lakers shot at 41.1 percent from the field in the matchup, they shot at 29.4 percent in three-point shots.
Following the loss, Lakers guard Austin Reaves acknowledged the shooting struggles of the team.
“I don’t think we made shots at the pace we’d like to or that we’re capable of,” said Reaves. “I haven’t shot the ball well the last couple of games. Luka is obviously a great shooter … We’ll live with the shots that were taken because I believe that they’re good shots.”
Dončić went 5-18 from the field and 1-9 in three-pointers. He admitted there was still rust from his stint being injured.
“We had some opportunities to make shots, but we just didn’t make them,” Dončić said post-game.
Despite the frustrating loss, Lakers head coach JJ Redick remained optimistic about the trajectory of the team.
“We’re still figuring things out with our recent additions,” Redick noted before the game. “I don’t think our standards change. I thought yesterday’s practice was really good. I think just in terms of the energy and sharpness and, and spirit, I thought it was excellent.”
The Lakers now look to regroup. With Luka settling into the lineup and the team working through post-All-Star break adjustments, the loss serves as a wake-up call. As Los Angeles prepares for its next game, the focus will be on regaining momentum and returning to form.
