Lakers guard Dennis Schroder drives past Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball during the first half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, left, reaches for a rebound over Lakers center Thomas Bryant during the first half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward LeBron James scores past Charlotte Hornets center Mason Plumlee during the first half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier scores past Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV during the first half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward LeBron James, left, sits next to injured teammates Anthony Davis, center, and Juan Toscano-Anderson during the first half of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball shoots over Lakers guard Austin Reaves during the first half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, right, reacts after making a 3-point shot during the first half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Lakers’ LeBron James gets past the Charlotte Hornets’ Mason Plumlee, right, to score during the first half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook dribbles the ball past Charlotte Hornets guard Theo Maledon during the first half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets center Mason Plumlee, center, grabs a rebound during the first half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV goes up for a dunk next to Charlotte Hornets center Mason Plumlee during the first half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball gets to the basket as the Lakers’ Thomas Bryant defends during the first half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James passes the ball from under the basket during the first half of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets guard Kelly Oubre Jr. dunks during the first half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Charlotte Hornets’ P.J. Washington blocks a shot by the Lakers’ LeBron James during the first half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Lakers’ Thomas Bryant, center, battles for the ball with the Charlotte Hornets’ Mason Plumlee during the first half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball is called for an offensive foul against the Lakers’ Austin Reaves during the first half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James dribbles past Charlotte Hornets center Mason Plumlee during the first half of on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. James scored 18 of his game-high 34 points in the fourth quarter but the Lakers lost, 134-130. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier soars to the basket during the second half of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets forward Jalen McDaniels dunks during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Restricted free agent Miles Bridges, right, and former NBA star Scottie Pippen, second from left, talk during the second half of a game between the Lakers and the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward LeBron James drives against the Charlotte Hornets’ Kelly Oubre Jr. during the second half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball scores past Lakers guard Russell Westbrook during the second half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers coach Darvin Ham reacts during the second half of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (4) blocks a shot from Lakers center Thomas Bryant during the second half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook handles the ball during the first half of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball drives the baseline as Lakers center Thomas Bryant defends during the second half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball drives between Lakers guard Russell Westbrook, left, and guard Patrick Beverley during the second half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington goes up for a dunk during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward LeBron James looks on during the first half of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets guard Kelly Oubre Jr. shoots over Lakers center Thomas Bryant during the second half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves, right, celebrates with guard Russell Westbrook after scoring during the second half of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier dribbles during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward Wenyen Gabriel, center, grabs a loose ball during the second half of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets guard Theo Maledon shoots during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook, left, Wenyen Gabriel, center, and Thomas Bryant smile during a pause in play in the second half of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) smiles next to Coach Darvin Ham after an assist during the second half of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball handles the ball during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball handles the ball during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Lakers’ LeBron James, top, is called for a foul on the Charlotte Hornets’ Theo Maledon on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets forward Jalen McDaniels dunks during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball gestures after making a 3-point shot during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward LeBron James gets to the basket for a layup during the second half of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball grabs a rebound next to Lakers forward LeBron James, left, during the second half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Lakers’ Wenyen Gabriel blocks a layup attempt by the Charlotte Hornets’ Mason Plumlee during the second half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets guard Kelly Oubre Jr. shoots over Lakers guard Patrick Beverley during the second half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Injured Lakers star Anthony Davis, center, looks on from the bench during the first half oof their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Charlotte Hornets’ Terry Rozier controls the ball against the Lakers’ Dennis Schroder during the second half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham instructs from the sidelines during the second half of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington dunks during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook, top, defends as Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington looks to shoot during the second half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball gestures after scoring during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Lakers’ LeBron James scores in front of the Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball, left, and Kelly Oubre Jr., right, during the second half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington dunks during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Lakers’ LeBron James, center, is called for goal tending against the Charlotte Hornets’ Gordon Hayward in the closing seconds on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James warms up before their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook smiles as he warms up before their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward LeBron James listens to the national anthem before their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward LeBron James gestures before their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
LOS ANGELES — With forward Anthony Davis out indefinitely, the Lakers need to find ways to fill the 6-foot-10 void, both offensively and defensively.
“We’re just trying to figure out ways to make up for that lost production,” Coach Darvin Ham said. “It may not be the same exact way that he gave it to us, but we’re just trying to be creative and see how we can still get points in the paint, instead of depending on him to go get every defensive rebound.”
Davis was averaging 27.4 points and 12.1 rebounds and posting 2.6 blocked shots per game before suffering a stress injury in his right foot. His presence can make it difficult for opponents to get into the paint.
Without Davis, however, the Lakers suffered a deflating loss to the second-worst team in the NBA. They fell to the Charlotte Hornets, 134-130, on Friday night in their final home game of 2022. It was the Lakers’ (13-19) third loss in a row as they prepare for a five-game trip that begins Sunday in Dallas.
And they might have to play on the road without another big man. Thomas Bryant, who has been solid as the starting center in Davis’ absence, left the court with 3:16 to play while holding his right shoulder in obvious pain. He had eight points and 13 rebounds.
Bryant, who returned to watch the final possessions, was being evaluated after the game. Ham did not have an update on his injury, but called his injury a “huge blow.”
“But there’s not time to feel sorry for yourself,” Ham said. “You have to pick up and adjust on the fly.”
The Lakers couldn’t adjust quickly enough down the stretch.
They trailed by 10 points with 7:29 left to play and were trading baskets with Charlotte (9-24) – which won for just the second time in the past 11 games – but couldn’t get any traction until the final few minutes when they suddenly picked up their pace and pulled within 129-126 on a 3-pointer by Patrick Beverley.
James scored or assisted on 11 straight points in the final 2:30, and he drove for the tying layup with 42 seconds left, but two miscues after that cost them a chance to show they could still win without their second-best player.
A Beverley steal gave the Lakers the ball with the chance to take the lead but they turned it over with 32 seconds left. Then, after Terry Rozier missed a jumper late in the shot clock, Gordon Hayward beat the Lakers to the rebound and got the tiebreaking layup on a goaltending call against James with 6.1 seconds left.
After Hayward drew the goaltending call, James fed Dennis Schröder for an open corner 3-point attempt after losing his right shoe – but the German guard missed, and P.J. Washington hit two free throws to ice it for the Hornets, who shot a season-best 55% from the field.
“Obviously, had our chances tonight,” James said. “I won’t say (it’s) disappointing, because I’m not disappointed in our effort. I’m not disappointed in the guys. You just want to win the game that’s right there in front of you.”
The Lakers’ effort was there, but not the kind of production they are going to need to make a move in the standings. Six players scored in double figures, led by James’ 34 points (18 in the fourth quarter). Austin Reaves contributed 20 points in his first game since spraining his ankle, and Russell Westbrook added 17 in his return to the court.
Ham was visibly upset with the Lakers’ 17 turnovers – which the Hornets converted into 32 points – and giving up 62 points in the paint. He called them “self-inflicted wounds.”
“We can’t assume that just because one is out – we have first-ballot Hall of Famers on this team – that we can just play around with this game and waste possessions and (think) someone is going to put their cape on and save the day,” Ham said.
“We have to get out in front of things. We have to be the ones to set the tone, not match someone else’s energy. We have to understand that possession by possession by possession, the intensity level has to raise, the competitiveness has to raise, togetherness has to raise. throughout a 48-minute game, you have to get stronger as the game gets longer.”
Before the game, Ham said while they wait for Davis’ foot to heal, the coaching staff is “just thinking about how we can recalibrate and get on the right side of things.”
The Lakers found themselves on the wrong side of another game, despite having Westbrook and Reaves back in the lineup.
Late in the first half, Reaves seemed to tweak his left ankle which kept him out of the previous two games. But he stayed in the game and had 10 points at halftime.
Both were available Friday after missing the last two games, a pair of high-scoring road losses. It was the first time this season the Lakers have allowed consecutive teams to score more than 130 points.
The Lakers have allowed the most points in the NBA this month and they rank 26th in the league for the season, allowing 117.3 points per game.
“It’s hard when you lose someone like A.D.,” Reaves said. “He’s the centerpiece of what we do defensively. Since he went out, the defensive rating hasn’t been great. It’s just too many points. You’re not going to win many games like that.”
Depleted Lakers blitzed by Suns for biggest loss of season
And it appeared early in the third quarter, the Lakers could be facing a similar outcome.
Two days after getting run off the same court by the Clippers shortly before halftime, Charlotte jumped to an 88-72 lead over the Lakers early in the third quarter with a 21-5 run immediately after halftime as the Lakers struggled to find their shot.
The Lakers’ bench battled back and trimmed the deficit to five before the Hornets scored the final five points of the quarter for a 97-87 lead.
In the second quarter, the Lakers saw their slim lead disappear quickly as the Hornets went on a 17-3 run to lead, 44-34. A 3-pointer by James and three quick baskets by Schroder got the Lakers back into the game.
Another 3-pointer by James with 3.1 seconds left sent the teams into halftime tied at 67.
Washington scored 24 points for Charlotte, while former Chino Hills High star LaMelo Ball had 23 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Rozier also scored 23 in his return from a two-game absence with a bruised right hip.
