D´Angelo Russell scored 28 points, Anthony Davis had 26 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists for his third career triple-double and the Los Angeles Lakers held on to defeat the short-handed Charlotte Hornets 124-118 on Monday night for their third straight win.
LeBron James added 26 points for the Lakers (27-25), who finished 4-2 on their road trip to build some much needed momentum before the upcoming All-Star break.
Miles Bridges erupted for a career-high 41 points and rookie Brandon Miller scored 33 points with five 3-pointers for the Hornets, who suffered their eighth straight loss since trading Terry Rozier to Miami.
The Lakers shot 64% from the floor in the first half and built a 74-58 lead heading into the locker room behind 22 points from Russell and 17 from James.
James had several highlight reel moment in the opening half, driving past P.J. Washington and dunking over 7-foot center Nick Richards for a three-point play. James had another baseline drive for a high-flying two-handed jam and also fed Anthony Davis for an alley-oop dunk.
The Lakers had 36 assists.
AND ONE BRON 💥 pic.twitter.com/cDLdeu2b9D
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 6, 2024
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis brings the ball upcourt against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Los Angeles extended its lead to 21 points late in the third quarter as Christian Wood knocked down a 3 and then dunked off a pass from Austin Reaves.
But the Hornets would make it a game behind Miller, who had 16 points in the fourth quarter. The No. 2 pick in the draft intercepted a Reaves pass and went the length of the court for a dunk and then added back-to-back 3s to cut the Lakers lead to four with about two minutes remaining.
Charlotte had a chance to make it a one-possession game, but Davis tipped Bridges’ step-back 3-point attempt and Reaves made two free throws to push the lead to six and seal the win.
Bridges finished 16 of 26 from the field with five 3s.
Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (4) fouls Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) while dunking the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket while guarded by Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James dunks the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Max Christie (10) drives to the basket while guarded by Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington dunks the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington brings the ball up court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts after dunking the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) guards Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis walks off the court after defeating the Charlotte Hornets in an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C.
