Several Charlotte Hornets players complained to the media about last Monday’s game against the Lakers. The home team lost 121-111, sparking a row among coach Charles Lee’s squad. In his statement, one player implied that NBA referees favor Los Angeles.
The comments quickly gained traction on social media, reigniting the debate about the Lakers’ frequent trips to the free-throw line in close games. Despite a strong offensive performance by the Hornets, they couldn’t overcome costly turnovers and defensive lapses against a Lakers team led by Luka Doncic‘s outstanding performance.
Miles Bridges complains about the officiating during halftime of the Hornets vs. Lakers game
Miles Bridges‘ comments came during a halftime interview with the Hornets trailing 65-63. “It’s kind of hard to defend guys when they’re getting fouled on every possession,” Bridges said. “So we have to do our best to control what we can control and keep going.” Bridges delivered one of his best games of the season:
(…) we have to do our best to control what we can control and keep going
The forward scored a team-high 34 points, along with eight rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block. He shot 11 of 19 from the field and 7 of 12 from three-point range, while making five of six free throws in 40 minutes. The loss marked Charlotte’s third straight defeat, leaving the team at 3-7 on the season.
When will LaMelo Ball return to the Hornets?
The Charlotte Hornets are dealing with several injuries this season. Brandon Miller has been sidelined with a shoulder injury since the second game of the year, and LaMelo Ball has another injury, this time an ankle injury. Ball’s ankle injury kept him out of the last four games. The good news is that the All-Star point guard is close to returning to the court.
According to the Hornets’ press account, Ball has been assigned to the G League to begin his rehabilitation process. Ball is one of the best point guards in the NBA when healthy. This year, the 24-year-old is averaging 23.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game. When he plays, the Hornets are a better team overall. However, he has played in 47, 22, and 36 games in each of the last three seasons.
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