Lakers fall to Hornets despite big night from Westbrook.
The Lakers had to rely on Russell Westbrook in tonight’s matchup against the Hornet, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis out of the lineup, with Westbrook delivering a huge outing but wasnt enough, falling to Charlotte 117–114, dropping their season record two games below .500 at 24–26.
The Lakers had to go into their second game without LeBron James, who is still dealing with knee soreness, and without Anthony Davis (rest), who was out of tonight’s lineup as a precaution, with the Lakers playing their 3rd game in four days.
On a night where the Lakers were without LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers’ struggles came from their lineup outside of Russell Westbrook, with the four starters scoring just 22 points on 30% (8-for-27) with just Westbrook scoring in double figures.
Russell Westbrook’s huge night scoring 30 points in the second half gave Lakers fans everywhere hope of what could come from Westbrook moving forward, finishing the night 35 points on 52% (12-for-23), adding 5 assists and 4 rebounds in 37 minutes of action.
The Lakers bench came to play for the purple and gold, with the bench contributing to 57 of the Lakers 114 points, with three players scoring in double figures.
Carmelo Anthony and Austin Reaves lead the second unit, with Melo giving the Lakers an all-around performance of 19 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals in 34 minutes.
Austin Reaves finished second off the bench with 16 points and added 8 rebounds in 27 minutes of playing time.
The Lakers’ next matchup comes on a road against the 23–25 Atlanta Hawks in their last game of the six-game road trip before going back home for a four-game home stretch.