The Los Angeles Lakers opened the second half of the season with a tough loss after bowing to the Charlotte Hornets, 100-97, at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday. The Lakers have now suffered back-to-back defeats and dropped to 32-21. They are now 1-2 in Luka Doncic 's first three games since the blockbuster trade.

Luka Doncic, who again reflected that he is still a long way from his best, admitted that he needs time and leeway to regain his fitness after injury and to adapt to his new team,