Lakers Handle Their Business vs Hornets

The last time your Los Angeles Lakers took the floor, they were truthfully embarrassed against an injured and inferior squad in the Atlanta Hawks. Tonight, the Lakers had an opportunity to do what good teams do: wipe the slate clean by beating a similarly inferior and injured Hornets team.

Let’s talk about what happened, why it happened, and some of the keys to the game.

HOT Start for Hornets

As previously mentioned, the Lakers were looking to come out tonight and right the wrongs of the previous game. To begin, it certainly looked like Lakers fans were about to get a repeat of the Hawks game.

While LA didn’t look quite as lifeless as they did against the Hawks, they could not put together a stop to save their lives. Charlotte rattled off a 40-point first quarter while shooting 8/12 from three. Miles Bridges, who finished with 34 points, led the charge in the first, scoring 16 points on 6/6 from the field and 4/4 from three.

The Lakers put up 36 as well, but allowing a team like Charlotte to put up 40 on you in the first is inexcusable.

Lakers Defense Stung Hornets Eventually

For the remainder of the first half, it stayed pretty close consistently. The Lakers only outscored the Hornets by six in the second quarter, partially thanks to a buzzer-beater by Austin Reaves, who made his return tonight from a three-game absence.

Redick must have given the speech of the season, because the second half could not have been more of a different story.

The Lakers quickly turned up the heat defensively, spurred by their bulldog Marcus Smart. The 2023 NBA DPOY set the tone and led by example, blowing up passing lanes and suffocating Charlotte in the halfcourt.

In the 3rd quarter, thanks to Smart’s efforts, the Lakers outscored the Hornets 31-15.

Smart finished the game with a whopping seven steals while adding 13 points and six assists as well. He also finished the game with a fantastic 15 +/-, trailing just the adorable dynamic duo we’ve all come to love.

Luka Doncic and Austin reaves

I Love You Man officially has competition for the greatest bromance story of all time. Not only do Doncic and Reaves seem to be having the time of their lives while sharing the court, but they are dominating opponents while doing it.

THE LAKERS GET BACK ON TRACK IN AR’S RETURN 😈 pic.twitter.com/M1L1yK00RM

— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) November 11, 2025

In Reaves’ first game back from a groin injury, he tallied a fantastic 24 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Doncic, on the other hand, continued his stretch of brilliance with 38 points, seven assists, and six rebounds.

Their matching ability to not only create for themselves, but also for everyone around them, will cause fits for the opposition all season long. Hopefully longer.

In the 4th quarter, Doncic took a dead-ball opportunity to heave a 3/4 court shot. In typical Luka-Magic fashion, the game mics picked up nothing but net. Shortly after, Reaves also hit a dead-ball near full-court shot. As the brothers they are, Luka was quick to come over and make sure Austin knew that his early shot was from further away.

If loving them is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

• The Lakers will take the court next on Wednesday at 6:30 PM PST against the defending champion OKC Thunder on ESPN.