Lakers unable to keep late momentum in 109-104 loss to Hornets

Julius Randle’s eyes widened as he saw the path to the rim in front of him. He’d stolen the ball, then he sped ahead on a fast break and dunked it to give the Lakers an early one-point lead.

It was exactly what his coach wanted from him. In fact, all game long, Lakers Coach Luke Walton saw just what he wanted to see from his players. He liked most everything, except the final score: Charlotte Hornets 109, Lakers 105.

“We’re proud of the way we played tonight,� Walton said. “We’re not happy that we didn’t win. Losing is not fun, but we’re proud of the way our guys played individually and, more important, as a team.�

The Lakers fell to 19-42, despite Randle’s impressive all-around effort with 23 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks. Randle sought to score early, pushing the ball himself, and controlling the offense with or without it.

“When he caught it off the board, he pushed it and made great plays,� Lakers forward Brandon Ingram said. “He knew when to take it to the basket and when to slow it down and pass the ball, and I think he did a great job on the boards.�

Point guard D’Angelo Russell matched Randle’s 23 points and added nine assists with two steals and three turnovers. Charlotte point guard Kemba Walker led all scorers with 30 points, and center Frank Kaminsky III had 24 points and 12 rebounds.

That the Lakers hadn’t played well at home in a while — in part due to travel — was part of Walton’s message to the team during shoot-around Tuesday morning. The last time they’d played here, the Lakers came out flat and lost by 21 points to San Antonio on Sunday night. In fact, they haven’t won at Staples Center since Jan. 31.

With that in mind, they came out firing. In the first quarter, the Lakers made 12 of 21 shots, with Randle and Russell combining for 20 of the team’s 31 points. Six of the Lakers’ points in the quarter were scored in transition.

Charlotte recovered to take a 58-55 lead into halftime, in part due to 10 second-quarter points from Kaminsky.

“We were fortunate because they had a number of open shots in transition in the first half with good shooters that I think they normally make,� Charlotte Coach Steve Clifford said. “We’re lucky. I think we had eight [Lakers misses], and they had good shots and they missed them.�

The Lakers fought back to outscore Charlotte in the third quarter.

Back-to-back dunks electrified Staples Center. First Tarik Black elevated for a one-handed slam off an assist from Russell. Then Ingram took a pass from Russell and drove toward the basket for another dunk to tie the score at 76.

By quarter’s end, the Lakers led, 82-80. They led for most of fourth quarter too, by as many as six points, before Charlotte surged behind Walker (11 points in the fourth) to hand them their fifth consecutive loss.

Randle had nine points and 10 rebounds in the second half.

Before the game, Walton had urged him to look to score more, rather than only looking for his teammates. Randle’s own dominance would open up the opportunity to make plays for teammates. As Randle played, Walton watched for fatigue — but it didn’t show itself as early as it has in the past.

“I try to be aggressive,� Randle said. “When I play aggressively, and I don’t overthink the game, I’m better.�

He was a bright spot Tuesday night both for his play and its implications for his future.

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Follow Tania Ganguli on Twitter @taniaganguli