Game ID: 22500586
Charlotte Hornets @ Los Angeles Lakers
Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 10:30 PM ET
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
LAL 39 16 38 24 117CHA 30 34 40 31 135
CHA @ LAL ScoutingCHA @ LAL Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
LAL availability going into 1/07 · back-to-backOUT Reaves missed 5 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 4 since 12/30, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 9 since 12/18, returns tonight: 18 min (94% of 19)
OUT Kleber missed 3 since 1/02, returns tonight: 12 min (119% of 10)
BACK Hayes back 12/30 after 2, 18 min since (100% of 18)
NEW LaRavia 24 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 17 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Smith Jr. 11 to 16 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/09 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 6 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 5 since 12/30, out tonight
BACK Vincent back 1/07 after 9, 18 min since (94% of 19)
BACK Hayes back 12/30 after 2, 18 min since (100% of 18)
BACK Kleber back 1/07 after 3, 12 min since (119% of 10)
NEW LaRavia 24 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 17 to 24 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/12 · 2 days' restOUT Reaves missed 7 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 6 since 12/30, out tonight
BACK Vincent back 1/07 after 9, 17 min since (87% of 19)
BACK Kleber back 1/07 after 3, 8 min since (76% of 10)
NEW LaRavia 24 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 17 to 23 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/13 · back-to-backOUT Reaves missed 8 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 7 since 12/30, returns tonight: 18 min (62% of 30)
BACK Vincent back 1/07 after 9, 17 min since (89% of 19)
BACK Kleber back 1/07 after 3, 6 min since (57% of 10)
NEW LaRavia 24 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 17 to 24 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/15 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 9 since 12/28, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 1/13 after 7, 18 min since (62% of 30)
BACK Vincent back 1/07 after 9, 16 min since (85% of 19)
BACK Kleber back 1/07 after 3, 6 min since (57% of 10)
NEW LaRavia 24 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 17 to 23 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/17 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 10 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 2 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 2 since 1/13, returns tonight: 21 min (201% of 10)
BACK Hachimura back 1/13 after 7, 18 min since (60% of 30)
BACK Vincent back 1/07 after 9, 16 min since (84% of 19)
NEW LaRavia 24 to 35 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/18 · back-to-backOUT Reaves missed 11 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 3 since 1/13, returns tonight: 13 min (72% of 18)
BACK Hachimura back 1/13 after 7, 18 min since (62% of 30)
BACK Kleber back 1/17 after 2, 21 min since (201% of 10)
NEW LaRavia 24 to 33 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/20 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 12 since 12/28, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 1/13 after 7, 19 min since (64% of 30)
BACK Hayes back 1/18 after 3, 13 min since (72% of 18)
BACK Kleber back 1/17 after 2, 21 min since (201% of 10)
NEW LaRavia 24 to 30 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/22 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 13 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 2 since 1/18, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 1/13 after 7, 21 min since (70% of 30)
BACK Hayes back 1/18 after 3, 18 min since (100% of 18)
NEW LaRavia 24 to 29 min over the last 5
CHA availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Kalkbrenner missed 8 since 12/22, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 29 since 11/04, out tonight
BACK Diabaté back 1/05 after 2, 28 min since (110% of 26)
BACK Mann back 1/05 after 3, 2 min since (16% of 13)
CHA availability going into 1/08 · back-to-backOUT Kalkbrenner missed 9 since 12/22, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 30 since 11/04, out tonight
BACK Diabaté back 1/05 after 2, 30 min since (113% of 26)
BACK Mann back 1/05 after 3, 2 min since (16% of 13)
CHA availability going into 1/10 · 1 day's restOUT Kalkbrenner missed 10 since 12/22, returns tonight: 24 min (110% of 21)
OUT Williams missed 31 since 11/04, returns tonight: 14 min (70% of 20)
OUT Mann missed 2 since 1/07, returns tonight: 12 min (95% of 13)
BACK Diabaté back 1/05 after 2, 32 min since (121% of 26)
CHA availability going into 1/12 · 1 day's restBACK Diabaté back 1/05 after 2, 30 min since (115% of 26)
BACK Kalkbrenner back 1/10 after 10, 24 min since (110% of 21)
BACK Williams back 1/10 after 31, 14 min since (70% of 20)
BACK Mann back 1/05 after 3, 7 min since (56% of 13)
CHA availability going into 1/15 · 2 days' restOUT Hall missed 2 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT McNeeley missed 2 since 1/10, out tonight
BACK Diabaté back 1/05 after 2, 31 min since (119% of 26)
BACK Kalkbrenner back 1/10 after 10, 18 min since (85% of 21)
BACK Williams back 1/10 after 31, 14 min since (68% of 20)
BACK Mann back 1/05 after 3, 9 min since (70% of 13)
CHA availability going into 1/17 · 1 day's restOUT Hall missed 3 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT McNeeley missed 3 since 1/10, out tonight
BACK Kalkbrenner back 1/10 after 10, 17 min since (80% of 21)
BACK Williams back 1/10 after 31, 14 min since (68% of 20)
BACK Mann back 1/10 after 2, 12 min since (98% of 13)
NEW Diabaté 26 to 31 min over the last 5
CHA availability going into 1/18 · back-to-backOUT Hall missed 4 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT McNeeley missed 4 since 1/10, out tonight
BACK Kalkbrenner back 1/10 after 10, 19 min since (89% of 21)
BACK Williams back 1/10 after 31, 15 min since (73% of 20)
BACK Mann back 1/10 after 2, 10 min since (76% of 13)
NEW Diabaté 26 to 31 min over the last 4
CHA availability going into 1/21 · 2 days' restOUT Hall missed 5 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT McNeeley missed 5 since 1/10, out tonight
BACK Kalkbrenner back 1/10 after 10, 20 min since (93% of 21)
BACK Williams back 1/10 after 31, 15 min since (73% of 20)
BACK Mann back 1/10 after 2, 10 min since (81% of 13)
CHA availability going into 1/22 · back-to-backOUT Hall missed 6 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT McNeeley missed 6 since 1/10, out tonight
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Dončić at 32 and James at 27 a game. Without Reaves (9 straight). One day's rest. Charlotte comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 104, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Ball at 21 and Knueppel at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 13 a night. Without Hall (2 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Charlotte wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-13 a night and the Lakers plus-4 and the defense, Charlotte allowing 104 a night to the Lakers' 111. Call it Charlotte 115, the Lakers 113, the Lakers keeping it close.
1/07 @ SAS 91-107 — LAL notes
LAL lost 91-107. LAL shot 40% (34 of 86) to SAS's 49%, 9 of 39 from three, and got to the line 22 times to SAS's 28. Dončić led with 38 (13 of 26, 2 of 9 from three, 10 of 16 at the line); LaRavia added 16, Hayes 10. Q2 was theirs, 20-22, but the other 3 periods went 85-71 against them. Knecht's -15 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/09 vs MIL 101-105 — LAL notes
LAL lost 101-105. LAL took 12 more shots (91 to 79), fed by 15 offensive rebounds, but shot 43% to MIL's 48%, 15 of 36 from three, and got to the line 14 times to MIL's 22. James led with 26 (10 of 21, 2 of 7 from three, 4 of 6 at the line); Dončić added 24, LaRavia 13. Q4 was theirs, 24-19, the deficit cut from 9 to 4, but the other 3 periods went 86-77 against them. LaRavia's -15 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/12 @ SAC 112-124 — LAL notes
LAL lost 112-124. LAL shot 49% (41 of 84) to SAC's 59%, 8 of 36 from three, and went to the line 28 times to SAC's 14 — 22 points from the stripe to their 11. Dončić led with 42 (16 of 25, 2 of 9 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); L. James added 22, Ayton 13. Q4 was theirs, 29-29, but the other 3 periods went 95-83 against them. Smart's -20 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/13 vs ATL 141-116 — LAL notes
LAL won 141-116. LAL shot 58% (48 of 83) to ATL's 45%, 19 of 34 from three, and went to the line 30 times to ATL's 18 — 26 points from the stripe to their 13. LAL turned it over 14 times to ATL's 6, and ATL turned those into 11 steals. The glass went 47-32 for them. L. James led with 31 (12 of 20, 2 of 4 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Dončić added 27, LaRavia 17. The hinge was Q2, 44-30: a lead of 7 became 21, and the lead reached 32. Smart was the night's best plus/minus at +32.
1/15 vs CHA 117-135 — LAL notes
LAL lost 117-135. LAL shot 46% (43 of 93) to CHA's 54%, 14 of 38 from three, and went to the line 23 times to CHA's 16 — 17 points from the stripe to their 15. The glass went 35-50 against them. Dončić led with 39 (15 of 26, 6 of 11 from three, 3 of 7 at the line); L. James added 29, LaRavia 18. Q1 was theirs, 39-30, but the other 3 periods went 105-78 against them. They led by as many as 13. Hachimura's -17 in 18 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/17 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 110, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; Avdija at 29 and Sharpe at 21 a game. Without Avdija (2 straight), Henderson (42 straight), Murray (5 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 117, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Dončić at 34 and James at 27 a game. Without Reaves (10 straight), Hayes (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the defense, Portland allowing 110 a night to the Lakers' 117 and the arc, the Lakers at 36 percent from three to Portland's 31. Call it Portland 116, the Lakers 113, the Lakers keeping it close.
1/18 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 122, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Dončić at 33 and James at 26 a game. Without Reaves (11 straight), Hayes (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Toronto comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 115, shooting 45 percent and 28 from three, 25 free throws a game; Barnes at 24 and Ingram at 22 a game. Without Quickley (2 straight), Barrett (4 straight), Poeltl (13 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 39 percent from three to Toronto's 28 and the defense, Toronto allowing 115 a night to the Lakers' 122. Call it the Lakers 117, Toronto 116, Toronto keeping it close.
1/20 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murray at 32 and Watson at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 12 a night. Without Jokić (11 straight), Braun (5 straight), Johnson (14 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 120, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 33 and James at 25 a game. Without Reaves (12 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been minus-1 a night and Denver minus-12 and the defense, Denver allowing 111 a night to the Lakers' 120. Call it Denver 118, the Lakers 115, the Lakers keeping it close.
1/22 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 27 free throws a game; Harden at 29 and Miller at 14 a game. Without Leonard (3 straight), Jones Jr. (9 straight), Bogdanović (13 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 43 from three, 25 free throws a game; Dončić at 32 and James at 25 a game. Without Reaves (13 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 43 percent from three to the Clippers' 33 and the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-2 a night and the Clippers minus-3. Call it the Clippers 116, the Lakers 115, the Lakers keeping it close.
1/07 vs TOR 96-97 — CHA notes
CHA lost 96-97. CHA shot 39% (32 of 82) to TOR's 41%, 14 of 38 from three. CHA turned it over 18 times to TOR's 5. Sexton led with 22 (7 of 13, 3 of 5 from three); Ball added 15, Bridges 12. Q2 was theirs, 28-20, turning a 3-point deficit into a 5-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 77-68 against them. They led by as many as 13. Salaün's -15 in 21 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/08 vs IND 112-114 — CHA notes
CHA lost 112-114. CHA shot 45% (39 of 86) to IND's 50%, 16 of 44 from three. Ball led with 33 (12 of 24, 7 of 15 from three); Bridges added 19, Knueppel 18. Q2 was theirs, 28-27, the deficit cut from 3 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 87-84 against them. Sexton's -22 in 18 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/10 @ UTA 150-95 — CHA notes
CHA won 150-95. CHA shot 52% (53 of 101) to UTA's 41%, 24 of 59 from three. The glass went 65-31 for them. Mann led with 20 (7 of 10, 4 of 6 from three); Miller added 18, Ball 17. The hinge was Q1, 45-14: from level to 31 ahead, and the lead reached 57. Diabaté was the night's best plus/minus at +38.
1/12 @ LAC 109-117 — CHA notes
CHA lost 109-117. CHA shot 49% (43 of 88) to LAC's 45%, 10 of 33 from three. CHA turned it over 10 times to LAC's 5. The glass went 49-37 for them. Ball led with 25 (11 of 24, 3 of 11 from three); Knueppel added 18, Diabaté 13. Q1 was theirs, 26-24, but the other 3 periods went 93-83 against them. Bridges's -15 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/15 @ LAL 135-117 — CHA notes
CHA won 135-117. CHA shot 54% (50 of 92) to LAL's 46%, 20 of 43 from three, and got to the line 16 times to LAL's 23. The glass went 50-35 for them. Ball led with 30 (10 of 20, 9 of 17 from three); Miller added 26, Bridges 25. The hinge was Q2, 34-16: CHA came in trailing by 9 and left it ahead by 9, and the lead reached 18. Miller was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
1/17 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 110, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 16 free throws a game; Ste. Curry at 25 and Butler III at 23 a game. Without Kuminga (14 straight). One day's rest. Charlotte comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 108, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Ball at 24 and Bridges at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 13 a night. Without Hall (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-13 a night and Golden State plus-1 and the line, where Charlotte takes 21 free throws a game to Golden State's 16. Call it Golden State 117, Charlotte 114, Charlotte keeping it close.
1/18 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 26 free throws a game; Murray at 37 and Watson at 23 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Jokić (10 straight), Braun (4 straight), Johnson (13 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Charlotte comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 116, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; Ball at 24 and Knueppel at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 12 a night. Without Hall (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-12 a night and Denver minus-6 and the line, where Denver takes 26 free throws a game to Charlotte's 20. Call it Denver 118, Charlotte 115, Charlotte keeping it close.
1/21 vs CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Charlotte comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 110, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 18 free throws a game; Miller at 22 and Ball at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 17 a night. Without Hall (5 straight). 2 days' rest. Cleveland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 123, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Mitchell at 23 and Garland at 22 a game. Without Merrill (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-17 a night and Cleveland plus-0 and the defense, Charlotte allowing 110 a night to Cleveland's 123. Call it Charlotte 122, Cleveland 116.
1/22 @ ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Banchero at 22 and Bane at 21 a game. Without Fra. Wagner (15 straight), Suggs (5 straight). 3 days' rest. Charlotte comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 110, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 16 free throws a game; Miller at 23 and Knueppel at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Hall (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the line, where Orlando takes 26 free throws a game to Charlotte's 16 and the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-8 a night and Orlando plus-2. Call it Orlando 116, Charlotte 112, Charlotte keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
LALBJ B. James
DA D. Ayton
DK D. Knecht
DO Doncic
GV G. Vincent
JL J. LaRavia
JV J. Vanderbilt
KB K. Bufkin
LD L. Dončić
LJ L. James
MS M. Smart
NS N. Smith Jr.
RH R. Hachimura
CHABM B. Miller
CS C. Sexton
DI Diabate
GW G. Williams
JG J. Green
KK K. Knueppel
LB L. Ball
MB M. Bridges
MD M. Diabaté
PC P. Connaughton
RK R. Kalkbrenner
SJ S. James
LAL/CHA the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
LaMelo Ball hits 9 3-pointers to lead Hornets to surprising 135-117 win over Luka's Lakers
LOS ANGELES -- — LaMelo Ball scored 27 of his 30 points in the second half while tying his career high with nine 3-pointers, and the Charlotte Hornets overcame Luka Doncic 's 39 points for a 135-117 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.
Ball had 11 assists and six rebounds, and he hit eight 3-pointers in the second half alone, gleefully celebrating each one while quieting the home crowd in his native Los Angeles area.
Brandon Miller also scored 26 points for the Hornets, while Miles Bridges added 25 and rookie Kon Knueppel had 19.
Ten days after the sub-.500 Hornets shocked the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder with a 27-point road victory, Charlotte showed another taste of its considerable promise. The Hornets improved to 2-1 on their five-game West Coast trip by running away from Doncic and LeBron James , who had 29 points and nine rebounds.
Doncic hit six 3-pointers in the slumping Lakers’ fourth defeat in five games, including embarrassing losses to Sacramento and Charlotte in the past four days. Los Angeles' improved focus in a victory over Atlanta on Tuesday had vanished, with the Hornets scoring 105 points in the final three quarters.
Doncic hit three 3-pointers and scored 19 points in the first quarter while the Lakers maintained their offensive excellence from their 140-point performance against Hawks. But Charlotte surged ahead in the second quarter and pushed its lead to 15 points in the third, and the Lakers never seriously threatened a comeback.
Jake LaRavia scored 18 points for Los Angeles, which got just nine points from its reserves on combined 4-for-19 shooting.