Lakers Searching for Answers After Charlotte Loss

The Los Angeles Lakers (31-26) will try to shake off a 100-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers (23-33) on Thursday night.

Despite leading by 13 points in the second half, the Lakers collapsed late, with LeBron James missing two game-tying threes in the final five seconds. It was a stunning loss against a Hornets team that entered the game 26 games below .500.

James finished with 26 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds while playing through lingering soreness in his left foot, which also kept him out of the All-Star Game.

“It’s going to be something we’re going to have to manage through the regular season and through the postseason,” James said. “I was happy I was able to get some days off and make sure I was available for (Wednesday).”

Luka Doncic Struggling to Find His Rhythm

Luka Doncic, playing his third game with the Lakers, struggled again, finishing with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. However, he shot just 5-of-18 from the field and 1-of-9 from three, while committing a game-high six turnovers.

Since joining Los Angeles, Doncic has yet to find his shooting touch, averaging 14.7 points per game while shooting just 5-for-24 from beyond the arc. The Lakers have gone 1-2 since acquiring him.

“It’s going to take a little time, a lot of rustiness on my part,” Doncic admitted. “I started the game with four or five turnovers, that can’t happen. Gotta play basketball the right way.”

Portland Trying to Regain Momentum

The Trail Blazers were one of the hottest teams in the NBA before the All-Star break, winning 10 of 11 games. However, they lost their final three games before the break, including a 117-111 defeat to Denver.

Despite the skid, coach Chauncey Billups remains optimistic.

“I think we’re in a pretty good spot,” Billups said. “I just want us to be consistent on both sides of the ball. Our remedy the whole time, our recipe has been just guarding at a pretty high level and then trying to get the rebound after we do guard on a possession and then playing fast and moving the ball.”

After facing the Lakers, Portland hosts Charlotte before embarking on a seven-game road trip.

Key Player Matchups to Watch

Los Angeles Lakers

• LeBron James – 25.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 7.3 APG
• Anthony Davis – 24.8 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 2.6 BPG
• Luka Doncic – 14.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 6.2 APG (as a Laker)

Portland Trail Blazers

• Jerami Grant – 21.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG (questionable, knee)
• Scoot Henderson – 16.5 PPG, 5.8 APG (questionable, ankle)
• Deandre Ayton – 18.2 PPG, 10.7 RPG (out, calf)
• Donovan Clingan – 12.5 PPG, 9.2 RPG (stepping up in Ayton’s absence)

The Blazers are shorthanded with Ayton ruled out for at least three more weeks. Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson, and Robert Williams III are all questionable.

Lakers Need to Stop the Skid

The Lakers are 2-0 against Portland this season and have won the last five meetings between the two teams. However, Doncic’s struggles and James’ foot issues leave some uncertainty for Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, rookie big man Donovan Clingan has stepped up for Portland, recording 17 points and a career-high 20 rebounds against Nikola Jokic before the break.

“I’m definitely ready,” Clingan said. “I’m going to challenge myself to go out there and leave it all out there every single night.”

With Portland short on depth, the Lakers have a prime opportunity to get back on track—but only if they can clean up their late-game execution.

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Final Prediction & Outlook

This is a must-win game for the Lakers, who need to quickly integrate Doncic while keeping pace in the Western Conference playoff race.

If LeBron and Davis take control early, and Doncic finds his rhythm, the Lakers should pull away late. However, if Portland keeps it close, their home-court energy and Clingan’s rebounding could make things interesting.