With stars dimmed, the Hornets turn to role players

NBA ENTERTAINMENT

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges goes up for a dunk in Monday's 112-107 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at Spectrum Center. Bridges led Charlotte with 26 points and eight rebounds.

The injury-ravaged Hornets need their complimentary players to step up.

A pair of Joshes did against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Recent acquisition Josh Okogie, who scored 19 points and added four steals in Monday’s 112-107 loss, has at least three or more steals in the last four games, the longest streak for a Hornet since Gerald Wallace had seven in 2007. Josh Green went 4-for-6 from three-point range and finished with 15 points.

“I’ve been playing against Josh Okogie since high school,” Hornets forward Miles Bridges said. “He’s been the same defensive player since then, so I’m used to that. And, Josh Green, he’s always been good for us. They’ve been doing a great job for us, setting the tone defensively and helping get everyone else going.”

Even with injuries to best players Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball, the Hornets (12-31) showed fight against the Lakers (26-18).

Led by center Anthony Davis’ 42 points and 23 rebounds, Los Angeles won in large part due to an explosive first quarter, which they outscored Charlotte 39-19. Davis scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in that quarter alone.

“[Davis] put in two days of work tonight,” Lakers coach J.J. Redick said. “Twenty-one and 11 in the first quarter I believe it was and then 21 and 12 the rest of the way. He just carried us all night. We moved him around and he played with force. I thought his hands, his touch and his pursuit of the basketball on the offensive glass, all that stuff was just awesome.”

The game was headed for a Lakers blowout, but the Hornets adjusted and climbed to within three points in the third quarter. Charlotte coach Charles Lee was happy with his team’s resilience.

“I think it’s effort, I think it’s pride, it’s competitiveness, it’s togetherness – all the things we hope to continue to build and just embody every single game and every single day,” he said. “I’m proud of the group. After our first quarter where I think we were a little bit of a deer in the headlights and lost our way a bit, we went out ...and gave ourselves a chance at the end of the game… I love that we gave ourselves a chance at the end of the game there, and we’ll continue to learn from it.”

Charlotte, who are without Miller (wrist) for the remainder of the season, lost Ball midway through the second quarter to a low ankle sprain. Lee did not give any indication if it will keep the Ball out for any length of time.

“I came in here pretty quickly afterwards, so I know they’re still obviously doing some evaluation,” Lee said. “I think he shot the ball and backed up to get back on defense and stepped on a foot. We’ll see what happens tomorrow as he comes in for treatment and stuff, but he did a great job of being in the locker room and being engaged as the guys came off the court.”

One catalyst for the Hornets was Bridges, who scored a team-high 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds, which tied center Mark Williams for Charlotte’s best. On top of his scoring, Bridges usually draws the defensive assignment against the opposing team’s best player. He guarded Lakers forward LeBron James, who scored 22 points.

“If I don't take it personally, they could go out and get 30 or 40 [points],” Bridges said. “And I just want to help my team win. Coach trusts me to guard those guys, and I’m up for a challenge. That’s why I signed up for, being in the NBA.”

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