The Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets had an unusual game on Wednesday, facing off after their trade for Mark Williams fell apart.
It was the first game Williams played for Charlotte since he reportedly failed his physical and then had to return to the team that had agreed on a deal that would send him to Los Angeles.
This was a fascinating ad clunky duel that included a surprising ejection after two technical fouls and an ejection for Austin Reaves. The Lakers held their lead for the majority of the game, including a genuinely remarkable dunk on Williams by LeBron James.
While it seemed like LeBron’s dunk on his would-be teammate would be how this game would be remembered, unfortunately for the Lakers, it all just went downhill from there.
Despite the fact that Williams was dunked on viciously, he got the last laugh against the team that felt concerned by his medicals.
LAKERS – HORNETS: How the Mark Williams-Dalton Knecht deal fell apart ahead of awkward game
LeBron ended up missing two crucial 3-pointers in the final seconds of the game in Los Angeles as the Lakers lost to the Hornets.
Williams celebrated with his arms in the air before dapping up Dalton Knecht, the Lakers rookie that he was nearly traded for before the reversal.
Mark Williams after Hornets W vs. Lakers
Williams and Dalton Knecht dapped up after the game pic.twitter.com/RRMgSTalv1
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 20, 2025
After the game, LeBron was asked about what it was like to play against Williams given the circumstances.
He said it was “no different” because he was “never a teammate” of his.
LeBron James said Mark Williams never spent time with his Lakers teammates before the trade was rescinded so “it was no different” seeing him playing for Charlotte tonight pic.twitter.com/WyfOcMV1u7
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 20, 2025
That may feel harsh, though it is also certainly true as the two never shared the floor together.
Meanwhile, there are some concerns for the Lakers moving forward as the Lakers did not look particularly good in this match.
Charlotte has one of the worst offensive ratings in the league but still successfully hunted Luka Doncic defensively. Doncic also had a poor efficiency performance on the offensive side of the floor as well.
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