Anthony Davis scored 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds, guiding the Los Angeles Lakers (17-15) to a resounding 133-112 win over the struggling Charlotte Hornets (7-22).
LeBron James showcased his enduring brilliance with 17 points and 11 assists, setting the tone for the Lakers’ dominant performance two days before his 39th birthday.
Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves added crucial contributions with 17 and 16 points, respectively.
A scintillating 41-point third quarter, led by Hachimura and James, propelled the Lakers to a 28-point lead early in the fourth, allowing Darvin Ham to rest James and Davis for the entire final quarter.
D’Angelo Russell, with 16 points and four 3-pointers, reached a career milestone with his 1,300th career three-pointer.
The Hornets, missing key players including LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, and Mark Williams, struggled against the Lakers’ zone defense, extending their losing streak to nine.
