Lakers guard Russell Westbrook handles the ball as Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball defends during the first half on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball drives to the basket past Lakers forwards Stanley Johnson, left, and Carmelo Anthony during the first half on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony attempts a shot as the Charlotte Hornets’ Mason Plumlee defends during the first half of Friday’s game in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook dribbles as Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier defends during the first half of Friday night’s game in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego instructs his team during the first half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook drives to the basket against the Charlotte Hornets’ Mason Plumlee during the first half of Friday night’s game in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The Lakers’ LeBron James, left, and Anthony Davis watch from the sideline during the first half of Friday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C. Both remain day-to-day with knee soreness and wrist soreness, respectively. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook handles the ball as Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Martin defends during the first half on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball passes the ball as Lakers guard Russell Westbrook defends during the first half on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker attempts a layup as the Charlotte Hornets’ Ish Smith defends during the first half of Friday night’s game in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The Charlotte Hornets’ Miles Bridges dunks during the first half of Friday night’s game against the Lakers in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, right, celebrates with Miles Bridges following a basket during the first half of Friday night’s game against the Lakers in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Lakers coach Frank Vogel reacts to an official’s call during the first half of Friday night’s game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony posts up against Charlotte Hornets Miles Bridges during the first half of Friday night’s game in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The Lakers’ LeBron James watches from the sideline during the first half of Friday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C. James sat out his second consecutive game with knee soreness. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony reacts to a play during the first half of Friday night’s game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball blocks a shot by Lakers guard Avery Bradley during the first half of Friday night’s game in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The Lakers’ LeBron James, left, and Anthony Davis, center, look on from the sideline with Russell Westbrook, right, during the first half of a game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook scans the court as Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball defends during the first half of Friday night’s game in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker handles the ball as Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Martin defends during the first half on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Charlotte Hornets guard Ish Smith shoots during the first half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony handles the ball as Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Martin defends during the first half on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel looks on during the first half of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook handles the ball as Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier defends during the first half on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook dribbles as Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier defends during the first half of Friday night’s game in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James watches from the bench during the first half of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. James sat out for the second game in a row with a sore knee. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook brings the ball up the court as Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Martin defends during the second half on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington, left, shields the ball from Lakers guard Wayne Ellington during the second half on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Lakers forward Stanley Johnson passes the ball during the second half of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, left, is fouled by Lakers guard Russell Westbrook during the second half on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges handles the ball as Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony defends during the second half on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier reacts after making a 3-point basket during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook drives past Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Martin on his way to the basket during the second half on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. Westbrook scored 30 of his 35 points after halftime, but the Lakers lost, 117-114, when he missed a 3-point shot in the final seconds. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook, right, celebrates with forward Stanley Johnson during the second half of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook celebrates with forward Stanley Johnson, behind, during the second half of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges reacts after being called for a technical foul during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — What would the Lakers even look like without LeBron James and Anthony Davis?
The answer was supposed to be obvious, and it seemed that way at the start of the season: Russell Westbrook has shouldered such a load in the past. But as the 33-year-old has struggled to find his footing with his fourth franchise in as many years, the volume has only turned up on an uncomfortable suggestion – that his best, MVP-level days are long behind him.
For at least one night without his All-Star cohorts, Westbrook seized an evening for himself with James and Davis reduced to spectators by lingering soreness. And while he was spectacular in a 30-point second half that showcased his recently dormant offensive brilliance, he still came up short on a 3-point attempt that could have secured a needed road win in Charlotte.
As things stood, with a 117-114 loss to the spunky Hornets, the Lakers (24-26) were left wanting more. But tellingly, Coach Frank Vogel – who benched him in the last four minutes of a tight game just nine days earlier – was willing to live with Westbrook’s final miss because of everything that had preceded it.
“At that point, the hottest guy in the gym has the ball in his hands ready to make a play,” Vogel said. “I have no problem with the shot he took. He was 3 of 6 from three for the second half, and he went for the win. He knocks that down, we’re talking about one hell of a win.”
It was a strange night for the Lakers, who dropped to 2-3 on their longest road trip of the season but still seemed heartened by a vibrant effort when no one was expecting much. Once James and Davis (as well as Malik Monk) were listed out for the evening, it seemed daunting for the Lakers – who have lost big this season even when one of those stars turns in a big night – to pull out a road victory.
Westbrook had other ideas.
After scoring just five points in the first half, he diced up Charlotte’s undisciplined defense for 30 second-half points – the last Laker to score that many in a second half was Kobe Bryant in his farewell game in 2016. Westbrook missed his first four shots of the half, but then followed up by making the next five, with four within 5 feet of the rim.
“It’s something that when the team needs me to do it, I’m able to still do it,” he said. “That’s the most important part.”
His lightning-bolt pathways to the rim gave way to a drive-and-kick game that he’s honed for years. His scoring was complemented by timely buckets and free throws by Carmelo Anthony (19 points), as well as some tough finishes and late 3-pointers by rookie Austin Reaves – who tied the score for the first and only time in the third quarter on a gutsy 3-pointer.
The Lakers got close again at the finish when Westbrook hit back-to-back 3-pointers and then Stanley Johnson converted a putback layup. LaMelo Ball left a free throw on the rim, giving the Lakers the ball back with 9.2 seconds left to catch a two-point deficit.
The Lakers gave Westbrook a chance to drive, but the Hornets’ switching took that away. So Westbrook took a look for the win.
“I just made two before that,” he said. “So I’ll live and die by that one.”
Charlotte had taken huge leads with a careless sort of ease, humming on the strength of pinball passing and Miles Bridges’ (26 points) soaring dunks in transition. The Hornets led by as much as 20 points in the third quarter – making an older starting lineup with DeAndre Jordan and Wayne Ellington in place of Davis and James appear stuck in the mud.
But Vogel was proud of the way his veterans, many of whom have been out of the rotation recently, battled. Most notable among these was Kent Bazemore, who scored 13 points after not playing more than 10 minutes since Dec. 17.
“It’s good to see just as a teammate, as a person, besides basketball,” Westbrook said of the reserves getting minutes. “But just to be able to see them have an opportunity to be able to do so is something that No. 1, uplifts me and I think uplifts our group as well.”
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Westbrook taking charge, too, was a good thing for the Lakers, who said they needed to see that kind of game from the willful guard who has been mired in a shooting slump for the better part of the last month. His season-high scoring performance fans the hope that the Lakers can still figure it out.
On Tuesday, James topped 30 points. On Thursday, it was Davis. On Friday, it was Westbrook. The challenge remains finding a way to get them all going on the same court.
“I think ultimately when myself and A.D. and Bron is on the court, we got to be able to figure that out to where I can still keep my same speed and pace to the basket and allow me to make the game easy for them,” he said. “And it’s something that we even briefly talked about after the game, about positioning and things they saw tonight from sitting on the bench, to be able to help them out.”
Even now, however, it’s still a vision. And the Lakers are running out of time to get it together.
“Down 20, we found ways to stick with it. We gave ourselves a chance to win and that’s all you can ask for on the road.” Russ reflects on the positives from tonight’s #Lakers performance, key contributors, and his thoughts on the final play. @LakersReporterpic.twitter.com/ca8aQxK1w1
“The hottest guy in the gym has the ball in his hands…I had no problem with the shot he took.” Frank Vogel with @LakersReporter on Russ’ final shot and his overall game to help the #LakeShow stay close, especially in the 4th quarter (16 PTS). pic.twitter.com/FRuP0ifXXv
