James pours in 43 as Lakers hold off Hornets, 121-115


              Los Angeles Lakers forward Troy Brown Jr. and Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball vie for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
            
              Los Angeles Lakers center Thomas Bryant vies for the ball with Charlotte Hornets center Mason Plumlee (24) and guard Terry Rozier (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
            
              Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder shoots around Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
            
              Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots over Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
            
              Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James drives to the basket past Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
            
              Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots over Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
            
              Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots over Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
            
              Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James celebrates after scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
James pours in 43 as Lakers hold off Hornets, 121-115