Following their Monday matchup, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James had high praise for Charlotte Hornets rookie Brandon Miller.
“He’s here for a reason,” James emphasized to reporters. “He’ll continue to get better. I love what I see from him at this stage of his career.”
Although James’ Lakers emerged victorious with a score of 124-118, Miller showcased an outstanding performance. He scored 33 points, grabbed four rebounds, made four steals, and dished out three assists. His impressive stats came from shooting 13-of-25 from the field and 5-of-11 from beyond the arc.
Among the Hornets, Miles Bridges stood out with 41 points, being the only other player to score more than 15 points.
The Lakers also displayed strong performances, with James contributing 26 points, D’Angelo Russell adding 28, and Anthony Davis securing a triple-double with 26 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists, and three blocks.
With three consecutive wins, the Lakers are gradually finding their rhythm after a shaky start of 24-25 in the season, demonstrating the potential to contend with the top teams in the Western Conference.
In contrast, the Hornets, with a record of 10-39, are clearly in a rebuilding phase. However, Miller, drafted as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, appears to be a cornerstone for the franchise’s future. He has been averaging 16.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, shooting 38.5 percent from the three-point line.
This was Miller’s second encounter with James and the Lakers. In their previous matchup on Dec. 28, the Lakers defeated the Hornets 133-112, with Miller scoring 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting. However, in the recent game, Miller displayed increased aggression, earning recognition from James for his performance.
