Gordon Hayward acquired the tiebreaking layup on a goaltending name in opposition to LeBron James with 6.3 seconds to play, and the Charlotte Hornets held off the Los Angeles Lakers 134-130 for less than their second victory in 11 video games.
James scored 18 of his 34 factors whereas main a stirring fourth-quarter comeback by the Lakers, who erased a 16-point deficit within the second half. James scored or assisted on 11 straight factors within the last 2:30, and he drove for the tying layup with 30 seconds left.
After Hayward acquired an offensive rebound and drew the goaltending name, James fed Dennis Schröder for an open nook three-point try — however the German guard missed, and P.J. Washington hit two free throws to ice the Hornets’ second win on their six-game journey.
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It a merciless last play for James and the Lakers. The four-time MVP obtained the inbounds go and instantly tried to drive to the basket, and appeared set to go by his preliminary defender when the shoe on his left foot slipped off, inflicting him to journey over.
It was a play that left even James’ greatest critic, veteran journalist Skip Bayless, in disbelief.
Washington scored 24 factors, whereas LaMelo Ball had 23 factors, eight rebounds and eight assists in opposition to his hometown workforce. Terry Rozier additionally scored 23 in his return from a two-game absence with a bruised proper hip because the Hornets earned their first street win over the Lakers in 5 tries since January 2018.
Austin Reaves scored 20 factors and Russell Westbrook had 17 for Los Angeles, which has misplaced three straight.
Anthony Davis missed his fourth consecutive sport with what the Lakers earlier on Saturday known as a stress damage in his proper foot. There isn’t any timetable for the return of the eight-time All-Star massive man, who was taking part in beautifully earlier than his newest main damage in three seasons of depressing well being.
Thomas Bryant had eight factors and 13 rebounds for the Lakers earlier than leaving the courtroom with 3:16 to play whereas holding his proper shoulder in apparent ache. Bryant, who returned to observe the ultimate possessions, has been stable as Los Angeles’ beginning centre in Davis’ absence, and a major damage can be one other main blow to the rotation.
Restricted free agent Miles Bridges attended the sport and sat immediately below the basket on the Hornets’ finish of the courtroom. He gave high-fives to his former teammates throughout pregame warm-ups.
Bridges, who performed his first 4 NBA seasons with Charlotte, pleaded no contest to a home violence cost final month in Los Angeles, receiving probation and no jail time. ESPN reported earlier Friday that the Hornets are closing in on a brand new contract with Bridges, who’s prone to obtain a prolonged suspension that may’t start till he’s signed by a workforce.
“Yeah, we’re not going to touch upon that proper now,” coach Steve Clifford stated when requested earlier than the sport in regards to the report.
Two days after getting run off the identical courtroom by the Clippers shortly earlier than halftime, Charlotte jumped to an 88-72 lead over the Lakers early within the third quarter with a 21-5 run instantly after halftime. James began a comeback within the fourth quarter, chopping the Hornets’ result in 114-111 on a driving layup with 4:51 to play.
Proper earlier than Hayward’s decisive last-minute play, Reaves stole a go from Ball — however the Lakers by some means couldn’t rating on a 4-on-1 break.
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