LeBron James acknowledged the challenges of sharing the floor with Luka Doncic after the Los Angeles Lakers’ 100-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
Following the defeat, James spoke about the defensive pressure he and Doncic face. “That’s going to be it every night,” James said, per Ryan Ward. “Obviously, myself, Luka and AR [Austin Reaves], we’re going to draw so much attention. Myself and Luka, we’re going to get double-teamed a lot. These guys have to be recipients and be ready to shoot, drive or pass. It’s easy. It’s an easy game after that.”
The Lakers struggled offensively against Charlotte, shooting just 41.1% from the field and 29.4% from three-point range. James finished with 26 points, scoring 16 in the fourth quarter, but missed two potential game-tying threes in the closing moments. Doncic had a tough shooting night, going 5-for-18 from the floor and 1-for-9 from deep.
Charlotte capitalized on Los Angeles’ struggles, led by Miles Bridges’ 29 points and LaMelo Ball’s 27. The Hornets erased a 12-point second-half deficit with a 22-1 run, taking advantage of Reaves’ ejection in the third quarter.
Doncic, playing in just his third game since joining the Lakers, has yet to find his rhythm alongside James. His three-point struggles have been noticeable, and his 14-point, 11-rebound, 8-assist performance was overshadowed by inefficient shooting.
James emphasized that the key to overcoming defensive pressure lies in the supporting cast stepping up. Rui Hachimura had 17 points but missed two critical free throws in the final minute. The Lakers had a final opportunity to tie the game, but James’ last attempt came up short.
Charlotte’s victory snapped a 10-game losing streak and marked a rare highlight in an otherwise difficult season. The Lakers, now 32-21, have lost back-to-back games to teams with subpar records, raising concerns as the playoff race intensifies.
James and Doncic will need to adjust quickly to turn things around, especially with increased defensive attention on them moving forward.
