It’s been just three games in the Lebron-Luka era for the Los Angeles Lakers, but their record now stands at 1-2 on the court together and the start to the second half of the season looks rocky at best.

Coming into the game, the Lakers had won 10 of their last 12 games and sat in fifth place in the West. The prospect looked good for a renewed spirit with Luka Doncic getting healthier and Lebron James rested from an All Star break.

But it looked like rust still for Doncic, who struggled all game long. The Lakers had control most of the game, mostly with their defensive efforts holding down Charlotte to just 28 percent shooting. But after Austin Reaves was ejected on two quick technical fouls midway in the third quarter, the Hornets went on a blistering 11-1 run to take a 69-66 lead into the fourth quarter.

That lead ballooned to nine, 75-66, on back-to-back threes by LaMelo Ball and aggressive double teams on James.

Midway through the fourth, James woke up and took over, scoring nine straight points capped by a tomahawk slam to tie the game at 83.

Eventually, it was the clutch play of Ball who hit a floater in the lane to give the Hornets a four-point lead, 98-94, with 14 seconds left that gave them the cushion. James hit a three to cut the lead to one, but in the ensuing play, he missed two threes and one last at the buzzer as Charlotte took the win, 100-97.

Charlotte improved to 14-39 on the season and the Lakers dropped to 32-21.

Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 29 points and Ball had 27.

For the Lakers, it was another struggle to see Doncic in All-NBA form, just three games in from recovering from a calf strain. The 25-year-old superstar could barely muster another 14-point performance on 5-18 shooting. While he did nearly tally a triple double with 11 rebounds and eight assists, he also had six turnovers.

The Lakers next face Portland and Denver on the road before returning home for what’s pegged to be an emotionally charged game against the Dallas Mavericks. (ABS-CBN News)