Hornets Struggle Against Lakers in Third Quarter Collapse
Facing a team that boasts superstars like Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves is always a daunting task, especially when you’re missing your own key players. The Charlotte Hornets went into their tenth game of the season against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night without the services of Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball. Despite these absences, Charlotte initially found its footing, igniting the game with an impressive 40-point first quarter.
The offensive surge was spearheaded by rookie Kon Knueppel and veteran Miles Bridges, who together accounted for 25 of those first-quarter points. The Hornets managed to maintain control of the tempo into the second quarter, creating opportunities that kept the game competitive. With just 34 seconds left before halftime, Charlotte held a narrow 63-60 lead. However, a pair of missed free throws by Reaves allowed the Lakers to capitalize. Rui Hachimura’s offensive rebound led to a three-pointer from Doncic, tying the game.
As the clock ticked down, the Hornets attempted to seize the moment with a last shot. Bridges, however, forced a challenging attempt that resulted in a fast-break bucket for Reaves. This rapid sequence meant Charlotte entered halftime trailing 65-63, a stark shift from their earlier lead.
The Third Quarter Meltdown
The turning point came in the third quarter, where the Hornets fell apart. Charlotte managed to score only 15 points while surrendering 31 to the Lakers. What had been a tightly contested game quickly transformed into a lopsided affair as Los Angeles went on a staggering 36-15 run, stretching their lead to 18 points by the end of the quarter. The duo of Doncic and Hachimura was particularly lethal, combining for 23 points in the third, surpassing the entire Hornets’ output during that stretch.
Without their top two scorers, Charlotte struggled to find any rhythm on offense. Although they rallied in the fourth quarter, narrowing the deficit to single digits, it was too little, too late. The Hornets ultimately fell to the Lakers with a final score of 121-111, marking their third consecutive loss.
Standout Performance from Knueppel
Despite the team’s struggles, Kon Knueppel continued to shine. The rookie, who was recently nominated for Eastern Conference Player of the Week, delivered an impressive performance with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high 9 assists. His consistent contributions underscore his potential as a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, and he appears to be just beginning to tap into his capabilities.
As the Hornets look to regroup, they will face the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, hoping to reverse their fortunes and find a way to win despite the ongoing challenges presented by injuries to their star players.
