Los Angeles faced an unexpected loss against the Charlotte Hornets, as LaMelo Ball dominated the game with 27 points, leading the Hornets to a 100-97 victory.
As reported by BBC, the match on Thursday was rescheduled due to the wildfires in LA and was the first game since the All-Star break.
Fans witnessed the Lakers’ new duo, LeBron James and Luka Doncic, struggling on the court in their third appearance together since the shocking trade of the 25-year-old from the Dallas Mavericks.
Meanwhile, the Hornets had several key players contributing to their victory, including Miles Bridges, who led the scoring with 29 points, and Ball, who added crucial points to the board.
The 23-year-old Hornets star scored a lay-up and two free throws within the last 15 seconds of the match.
James, who put up 16 of his 26 points in the final quarter, missed twice from three-point range in an attempt to tie the game.
Meanwhile, Doncic contributed 14 points and 11 assists, with the duo scoring a combined total of 40 points.
This marks only the second win in 11 games for the Hornets, who now stand 14th in the 15-team Eastern Conference.
Meanwhile, the LA Lakers remain fifth in the Western Conference and are on a two-game losing streak.
