The Charlotte Hornets delivered a stunning upset against the Los Angeles Lakers with a 100-97 victory on Wednesday night. Key performances from Miles Bridges, who scored 29 points, and LaMelo Ball, who contributed 27 points, propelled the Hornets to a triumph that snapped the Lakers’ seven-game home winning streak. The game, originally rescheduled from January due to the devastating wildfires in Southern California, concluded in high drama as the Hornets mounted an exhilarating comeback.
Trailing 65-53 with four minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Hornets orchestrated a remarkable 22-1 run to seize control of the game. This turnaround was partly facilitated by a cold spell from the Lakers, who missed ten consecutive shots over a span of 6 minutes and 39 seconds. The Lakers' struggles were compounded when Austin Reaves was ejected late in the third quarter by referee Rodney Mott.
LeBron James led the scoring for the Lakers with 26 points, while Luka Doncic contributed 14 points but struggled with his shooting accuracy. Doncic managed only 5 of 18 from the field and hit just 1 of 9 attempts from beyond the arc. Despite these efforts, the Lakers couldn't maintain their momentum, especially after Nick Smith Jr. sank a crucial go-ahead three-pointer with just 48 seconds on the clock.
Mark Williams made a notable impact in his first game since an unusual trade episode with the Lakers. Williams added 10 points and nine rebounds, displaying his talent in an unexpected twist after the Lakers had initially acquired and then rescinded his deal.
The game's conclusion saw further opportunities for the Lakers slip away when Rui Hachimura missed two critical free throws. This allowed the Hornets to close out the game and secure their win.
Looking ahead, the Hornets will travel to Denver for their next matchup, while the Lakers aim to rebound as they face Portland. Both teams will have much to consider after this intense and unexpected clash.
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