Luka Doncic was impregnable as the Los Angeles Lakers extended their emotional form on the road, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 121- 111 on Monday night.
The Slovenian superstar, who has featured in seven games this season, poured in 38 points, making 14 of 28 shots and hitting five 3-pointers. “This is my fourth-highest point total this season,” he said modestly after the match.
Austin Reaves stepped up with 24 points, while Rui Hachimura added 21, helping the Lakers maintain their dominance down from home, now five triumphs out of six road games.
Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart also minced in with 14 and 13 points, independently, as the Lakers’ depth formerly again proved pivotal.
Doncic Leads Charge
After a shaky launch in which Charlotte poured by 40 first- quarter points, the Lakers set up their meter. Los Angeles tensed up defensively and finished the night shooting an emotional 50 per cent from the field.
Charlotte’s Miles Bridges shone with 34 points, including seven 3-pointers, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a third consecutive defeat, their sixth loss in seven games.
BREAKING NEWS
LUKA DONCIC SLAM DUNK!!!! ⚡️
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) November 11, 2025
Rookie Kon Knueppel added 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, narrowly missing out on a triple-double, while Collin Sexton returned from a neck strain to contribute 13 points.
Despite shooting 52.1 per cent from the floor, the Hornets’ 22 turnovers proved costly. They were also without key playmaker LaMelo Ball, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
Lakers Control Finish
Charlotte fought hard late on, narrowing the gap to 117-111 after trailing 115-101 with just over two minutes to go. “Sion James was off the mark on a 3-point attempt with 11 seconds to play,” said an analyst.
Doncic coolly converted two free throws, and Smart followed with two more to seal the win.
The Hornets stayed competitive thanks to a strong 20- for- 22 performance at the free- gamble line, but the Lakers’ composure down the stretch made the difference.
The turning point came in the third quarter as Los Angeles outscored Charlotte 24- 9 to make a commanding 89- 72 lead. The Hornets compactly rallied with an 8- 0 run limited by a Islands three- pointer, but the Lakers closed it out confidently.
Dončić continues to show why he is regarded among the NBA’s elite, maintaining the same blistering form that saw him equal a historic NBA record in stunning fashion. The Lakers’ growing consistency suggests a team hitting peak rhythm just as the season heats up.
