LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — LaMelo Ball scored 27 of his 30 points in the second half and tied his career high with nine 3-pointers to lead the Charlotte Hornets to a 135-117 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night at crypto.com Arena. Ball’s shooting display, which included eight 3-pointers after halftime, powered the Hornets past a Lakers team that got 39 points from Luka Doncic and 29 from LeBron James. Brandon Miller added 26 points for Charlotte and Miles Bridges had 25. The Hornets erased an early deficit with a dominant second quarter, outscoring the Lakers 34-16 to take control before Ball’s second-half barrage secured the win before a crowd of 18,997. The victory improved Charlotte to 15-26, while the Lakers fell to 24-15.

LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — In a stunning offensive display that defied both expectations and a torrid start from the Los Angeles Lakers, the Charlotte Hornets rode a historic second-half shooting performance from LaMelo Ball to a decisive 135-117 victory Thursday night at a sold-out crypto.com Arena. The game, witnessed by 18,997 fans, turned on a breathtaking individual effort from the Chino Hills, California, native, who silenced his hometown crowd with a flurry of long-range shots. Ball scored 27 of his game-high 30 points after halftime, tying his career high by sinking nine 3-pointers. Eight of those came in a relentless second-half barrage that systematically dismantled the Lakers’ defense and erased what had been a promising start for the home team. The opening quarter belonged to Los Angeles, specifically to Luka Doncic. The Lakers’ guard was nearly flawless, pouring in 17 points as the Lakers raced out to a 39-30 lead. The Lakers shot 58% from the field in the period, with Doncic and LeBron James, who finished with 29 points, nine rebounds and six assists, setting an aggressive tone. The Hornets, however, stayed within striking distance thanks to early contributions from Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller. The trajectory of the contest shifted dramatically in the second quarter. The Lakers’ offense went cold, managing only 16 points on 5-of-22 shooting. Charlotte’s defense tightened, and the Hornets began to find their rhythm, closing the half on a 25-16 run to trim the Lakers’ lead to 55-64. The stage was set for Ball’s takeover. Emerging from the locker room, Ball ignited. He hit a 26-foot step-back 3-pointer just 42 seconds into the third quarter, a sign of things to come. He would connect on five 3-pointers in the period alone, each one more demoralizing than the last. His shooting spree fueled a 40-point quarter for Charlotte, which completely overwhelmed the Lakers’ 38-point output. By the time the period ended, the Hornets had not only erased the deficit but built a 104-93 lead, outscoring Los Angeles by 20 points in a 12-minute span that became the most important part of the game. The fourth quarter offered no respite for the Lakers. Ball continued his assault, adding three more 3-pointers. His final one, a 28-footer with 2:01 remaining, pushed the lead to 20 and served as the exclamation point on his masterpiece. He finished with 11 assists and six rebounds to complement his scoring, orchestrating the offense with palpable joy and swagger. Ball received ample support. Brandon Miller scored 26 points, showcasing a smooth offensive game, while Miles Bridges added 25 points and eight rebounds. Rookie guard Kon Knueppel provided a vital spark off the bench with 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists. For the Lakers, Doncic led all scorers with 39 points, but his effort was ultimately rendered futile by Charlotte’s offensive eruption. Jake LaRavia added 18 points for Los Angeles. Statistically, the Hornets were ruthlessly efficient. They shot 54.3% from the field and a blistering 46.5% from 3-point range, connecting on 20 of 43 attempts. They were nearly perfect from the free-throw line, making 15 of 16. Their offensive rating of 138.3 points per 100 possessions underscored a night of near-flawless execution. The Lakers, by contrast, shot 46.2% from the field and 36.8% from deep, hampered by the second-quarter drought and an inability to counter Ball’s onslaught. The victory improved Charlotte’s record to 15-26, providing a bright spot in a challenging season. It also avenged a 121-111 loss to these same Lakers back on Nov. 10. The Lakers, who entered the game with a 24-15 record and were projected by analytics as heavy favorites, saw a two-game winning streak snapped as they fell to 24-16. The Hornets now head to San Francisco to face the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, carrying the momentum of one of their most impressive wins of the season. The Lakers, meanwhile, will look to regroup as they begin a road trip in Portland on Saturday. On this night, however, the story was LaMelo Ball and a shooting performance for the ages that left Los Angeles stunned.

Preview: Struggling Hornets Face Lakers in Los Angeles LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The Charlotte Hornets, mired near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, face a steep challenge against the Western Conference-contending Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night at crypto.com Arena. The Hornets (14-26) arrive having lost three of their last four, including a 117-109 defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. Charlotte’s season has been defined by inconsistency, mixing blowout wins like a 150-95 rout of Utah with narrow losses, including two by a single point in the past week. Charlotte will lean on forward Moussa Diabate, who is coming off a dominant 15-rebound, 4-block performance against the Clippers. Over his last 10 games, Diabate has averaged a double-double, providing a consistent interior presence for a team that ranks near the league bottom in defense. The Lakers (23-14), however, present a formidable obstacle, led by perennial MVP candidate Luka Doncic. Despite the Lakers dropping three of their last four, Doncic has been spectacular, averaging 31.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists in that span. His 42-point outing in Monday’s loss to Sacramento underscored his offensive burden. Los Angeles won the season’s first meeting, 121-111, in Charlotte on Nov. 10. The Lakers’ star power, which also includes LeBron James and Deandre Ayton, will test a Hornets defense that allows among the most points per game in the NBA. For Charlotte to pull an upset, they will need a major night from guard LaMelo Ball and continued paint dominance from Diabate to counter the Lakers’ firepower. Los Angeles aims to stabilize after its recent skid before embarking on a lengthy road trip starting Saturday. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. PST.