Hornets Stumble Against Lakers Despite Milestones from Bridges and Miller
The Charlotte Hornets had another tough outing as they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers with a final score of 124-118. Despite scorching performances by Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller, the Hornets' efforts weren't enough to clinch a victory at their home, the Spectrum Center, on the evening of February 6.
Both Bridges and Miller continued their hot streak, scoring over 30 points for the third consecutive game—a feat that underscores their individual prowess and growing chemistry. Bridges, in a stunning show of force, set a new career high with 41 points, while Miller added 33 points to the scoreboard.
The game's onset was not promising for Charlotte, as they found themselves in an 8-point deficit by the end of the first quarter. Their struggles deepened by halftime, trailing the Lakers by 16 points—a gap that proved too wide to bridge despite a valiant effort in the second half.
Third Quarter Surge
In an attempt to ignite a comeback, Miller, the Hornets rookie sensation, made a statement with an elbow shot early in the third quarter. Yet, the Lakers showed no signs of relinquishing their double-digit lead, keeping the Hornets at bay throughout the majority of the game.
However, Charlotte managed to outscore the Lakers in the closing quarter, offering a glimmer of hope, but they ultimately couldn't salvage the game. This contest marked the Hornets' eighth consecutive loss, a skid initiated since the trade that sent Terry Rozier to Miami.
Historic Performances
Noteworthy individual achievements were the silver lining for the Hornets. Bridges’ tour-de-force performance was not just a personal triumph, but a milestone in his professional career, indicating his capability of becoming a leading scorer in the league.
Miller, meanwhile, etched his name in the Hornets' record books by becoming the first rookie in franchise history to score at least 30 points in consecutive games.
Contributions from the Bench
While the spotlight shone on Bridges and Miller, other team members also contributed to the Hornets’ efforts. Nick Richards put up four points and snagged four rebounds across 32 minutes on the hardwood.
Ish Smith provided an early spark with six points in the opening quarter, a necessary jolt to the Hornets' offense. Nonetheless, the defensive side of the ball proved to be their Achilles' heel, unable to contain the Lakers' scorers.
Looking ahead, Charlotte hopes to bounce back in their upcoming game against the Indiana Pacers on February 12, a chance to avenge the two losses out of three encounters they've had this season.
Player Averages and Upcoming Schedule
In the last 10 games, Richards has been averaging a notable 12.1 points. In tandem, Bridges has been tallying an impressive 23.8 points, with Miller not far behind, contributing an average of 22.2 points per game. Cody Martin and Bryce McGowens have also been consistent contributors, averaging 7.2 and 6.7 points respectively.
The next faceoff with the Pacers will tip off at 7:00 PM ET, back at the Spectrum Center. This matchup will pit the Pacers, currently holding the 6th spot in the Eastern Conference, against the 13th placed Hornets—an opportunity for Charlotte to climb the rankings and build some much-needed momentum.
Reflective Words from Miller
Brandon Miller, who has been a bright spot in an often murky season for Charlotte, shared his thoughts postgame. "Hats off to my teammates for coming in every day and building my confidence to take the shots that I take in tough matchups like this with the crowd going. It’s really all my teammates, not just me. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t take those shots,” Miller said, attributing his successful performance to the collective effort of his team.
Miller’s humility and acknowledgment of his teammates' support encapsulate the ongoing commitment within the Hornets organization, despite the tough results. With the talent clearly present on the roster, the Hornets will look to synergize their efforts and convert their potential into wins as they progress through the rest of the season.