Dominating from the start! Doncic and Reeves combine for 62 points as Lakers have three players scoring 20+ to hand Hornets their third consecutive loss

On November 11th Beijing time, during the NBA regular season, the Hornets played at home against the Lakers. The Lakers' starting lineup all delivered strong performances, with every player scoring at least ten points and positive plus-minus figures. Doncic and Reeves together scored 62 points. Ultimately, after four intense quarters, the Lakers beat the Hornets 121-111, causing the Hornets to suffer their third consecutive loss.

Game statistics:

Lakers: Doncic scored 38 points with 6 rebounds and 7 assists, Reeves added 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, Hachimura contributed 21 points, Ayton had 14 points, and Smart recorded 13 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 7 steals.

Hornets: Bridges scored 34 points with 8 rebounds and 5 assists, Knipe nearly had a triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, Sexton added 13 points.

Match progress:

In the first quarter, the Hornets started with a 6-2 lead, but Reeves and Ayton quickly scored to tie the game. The teams traded leads in a tight battle. Midway through the quarter, the Lakers pushed ahead with an 8-2 run to lead by 5 points. Simpson hit a three-pointer to stop the run, and Diabaté scored two points, bringing the game back to even. The teams continued to fight closely, with scores hard to separate. Toward the end of the quarter, the Hornets hit consecutive three-pointers to regain the lead. After the first quarter, the Hornets led 40-36 by 4 points.

In the second quarter, Reeves made a tough three-pointer to cut the deficit, and the Hornets scored from free throws, but Reeves then completed a and-one play to put the Lakers ahead. The Lakers suddenly went cold, allowing the Hornets to go on a 9-0 run to build a 7-point lead. Smart hit a three-pointer to stop the bleeding, followed by a three from Doncic, keeping the game tightly contested. For most of the remainder of the quarter, the Hornets maintained a slight lead, but in the final seconds, Doncic hit a three, and Reeves scored at the buzzer, giving the Lakers a 65-63 lead going into halftime.

After the third quarter began, the Lakers scored 4 quick points aiming to extend the lead, but Bridges responded with a quick three-pointer to keep it close. Then the momentum shifted dramatically as the Lakers unleashed a 10-1 run to establish a double-digit advantage. Knipe hit a three to slow the momentum, but Doncic immediately replied with a three-pointer. Led by Doncic, the Lakers went on another 10-2 run, pushing their lead to nearly 20 points. In the latter half of the quarter, both teams’ shooting percentages dropped, but the Lakers kept a lead of over 15 points. Doncic hit another three-pointer late in the quarter, and after three quarters, the Lakers led the Hornets 96-78 by 18 points.

At the start of the final quarter, the Hornets began with a 7-2 run to cut the deficit, but Reeves and Doncic quickly scored to restore the Lakers’ 18-point lead. The Hornets finally found their rhythm, going on an 8-0 run to reduce the gap to 10 points. Hachimura and Doncic scored consecutively to stop the Hornets’ momentum, but the Hornets kept hitting three-pointers to continue closing the distance. With three minutes remaining, Smart’s three-pointer nearly sealed the game. Although the Hornets fought hard to catch up, they ultimately fell short. The game ended with the Lakers winning 121-111 over the Hornets.

Starting lineups:

Lakers: Smart, Hachimura, Ayton, Reeves, Doncic

Hornets: Knipe, Bridges, Kalkbrenner, S. James, Sexton