By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Luka Doncic, packing a game-high 39 points, was not enough for the Los Angeles Lakers in a loss, 135-117, to the Charlotte Hornets in crypto.com Arena on Thursday.
The 26-year-old Slovenian superstar suffered an apparent back injury late in the third quarter and went to the locker room, but he returned to end up with 15/26 field goals, including 6/11 from beyond the arc en route to 39 points. Over 35:38, he added four assists and three rebounds, plus one turnover.
On a fourth loss in the last five outings, the Lakers were forced to 24-15 in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season, two games behind the fourth seed of the Western Conference and one game ahead of the Play-In zone.
“They made a lot of shots, and we gave up a lot of offensive rebounds. From there, they just hit daggers,” said Doncic in a postgame press conference, describing how his side mishandled a 17-point lead.
Combining with LeBron James, they produced 45 out of a team total of 93 field-goal attempts against the Hornets.
“I think most nights me and LeBron have the most shots. We made 14 threes. We had some more shots, obviously, but sometimes they don’t go in,” explained the Ljubljana native.
German Maxi Kleber stayed on the bench for the team coached by JJ Redick.
Off an initial probable tag due to right hip soreness, French Moussa Diabate started for the Hornets, and logged 30:08 for eight points, six rebounds, and two assists. French reserve Tidjane Salaun did not get on the board in 90 seconds of action.