LaMelo Ball Delivers 30 Points as Hornets Defeat Lakers at Crypto.com Arena

LaMelo Ball poured in 27 of his 30 points after halftime and tied his career high with 9 three pointers as the Charlotte Hornets pulled away from the Los Angeles Lakers for a 135 to 117 win Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena.

Ball finished with 30 points 11 assists and 6 rebounds in one of his most complete performances of the season, igniting a Hornets offense that overwhelmed Los Angeles over the final 3 quarters. The third year guard hit 8 three pointers in the second half alone, repeatedly silencing the crowd in his hometown area as Charlotte turned a competitive game into a decisive road victory.

Brandon Miller added 26 points on efficient shooting while Miles Bridges chipped in 25 as the Hornets placed four players in double figures. Charlotte shot 52 percent from the field and scored 105 points over the final 36 minutes, a season high for points through three quarters and a continuation of recent offensive growth under head coach Charles Lee in his first season on the bench.

The win marked another notable data point for a Hornets team that has shown flashes against elite competition this season. Ten days earlier Charlotte stunned Western Conference leading Oklahoma City with a 27 point road win, and Thursday’s performance followed a similar script with sustained pace shooting and ball movement overwhelming a veteran opponent.

LeBron James led Los Angeles with 29 points and 9 rebounds, but the Lakers struggled to maintain defensive consistency as the game progressed. Anthony Davis finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while the Lakers bench provided limited support, combining for 9 points on 4 of 19 shooting. Los Angeles has now dropped 4 of its last 5 games, with defensive breakdowns and transition coverage emerging as recurring issues during the stretch.

Charlotte seized control midway through the second quarter and extended the margin to 15 points in the third. The Lakers were unable to generate a meaningful response as Ball orchestrated the offense and punished switches from beyond the arc. The Hornets recorded 29 assists on 49 made field goals, reflecting improved spacing and decision making compared to earlier in the season.

From a broader season perspective, the result reinforces Charlotte’s developing core built around Ball Miller and Bridges, all under long term contracts that position the franchise for continuity. Ball’s health and availability remain central to the team’s outlook, but performances like Thursday’s underline his status as one of the league’s most dynamic offensive guards when fully engaged.

The Lakers, meanwhile, continue to search for lineup stability as they navigate a congested Western Conference playoff picture. Defensive efficiency has slipped during the current road heavy portion of the schedule, placing added emphasis on upcoming adjustments from head coach Darvin Ham and his staff.

Next steps see Charlotte continue its West Coast trip Saturday at Golden State, while Los Angeles heads to Portland looking to halt its slide and reestablish momentum before returning home.