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 have won 10 of their last 12 games and sit at 5th 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 9 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 4-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.

Lakers coach JJ Redick credited their loss on the sloppy offense, which he says is not too surprising coming off the All Star break “That happens sometimes. I’ve been a part of those first games after All-Star break when they are humming, and I’ve been a part of them when they’ve been sloppy like they were tonight. I thought our effort and competitive spirit was good enough to win, just we were really poor offensively for 90 percent of the game.” Redick said.

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.

Hornets coach Charles Lee credited Ball’s maturity as a leader “Super proud of him for continuing to make the plays for himself, but also for his teammates and continue to trust them.” Lee said

As for Ball, as he relished in the win near where he grew up and played high school basketball, he credited the confidence his father and family put in him “My pops had me like that, so ever since I was young, I always just played up. I do not think I ever played my age for real unless I was a senior, but I was still a young one, so just always played up and just compete.” Ball said

For the Lakers, it was another struggle to see Doncic in All-NBA form, just 3 games in from recovering from a calf strain. The 25-year-old superstar could barely muster another 14 pt performance on 5-18 shooting. While he did nearly tally a triple double with 11 rebounds and 8 assists, he also had 6 turnovers.

Doncic meanwhile admitted he’s nowhere near the form he wants to be at “Yeah, obviously, it's going to take a little time. Today was a lot of rustiness on my part. Starting the game with four or five turnovers, that can't happen. Just gotta play basketball the right way.” Doncic said.

As for James, he’s still exuding patience for the integration of his newest superstar teammate and when opponents come to double team them, his teammates have to be ready “Myself and Luka, we're going to get double teamed a lot. These guys have to be recipients and be ready to shoot, drive or pass. It's easy. It's an easy game after that” James said.

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 on Tuesday.