Anthony Davis scores 42 points, grabs 23 rebounds as Lakers top Hornets 112-107 for 4th straight win

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Anthony Davis had 42 points and 23 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers used a huge first quarter from the All-Star center to build a 23-point lead before beating the Charlotte Hornets 112-107 on Monday night for their fourth straight win.

LeBron James had 22 points and Austin Reaves chipped in 17 for the Lakers, who never trailed.

Miles Bridges had 26 points for the Hornets, who lost LaMelo Ball in the second quarter to a left ankle injury after he stepped on Jarred Vanderbilt’s foot as he backpedaled down the court after draining a 3-point jumper off one foot.

It was supposed to be a celebratory night for the Hornets in a game that was aired on free, local over-the-air TV throughout the Carolinas for the first time since the 2007-08 season — giving them a chance to potentially capture a new audience.

But it didn't go as planned.

Davis scored 21 points in the first quarter on 9-of-12 shooting to go along with 11 rebounds as the Lakers bolted to a 39-19 lead.

Lakers: Davis was dominant and there was nothing Mark Williams could do stop him. Williams struggled to defend Davis on the perimeter as he sank a series of uncontested fadeaway jumpers. Four Lakers starters played at least 36 minutes.

Hornets: Ball has missed 158 games during his NBA career due to injury. He came in averaging 28.9 points, but was not chosen an All-Star starter despite leading all Eastern Conference guards in voting.

After Charlotte pulled within six with about a minute to play, Dorian Finney-Smith drove the lane for a high-flying dunk over Bridges.

Los Angeles made 14 of 16 shots to open the game.

The Lakers are at Philadelphia on Tuesday; the Hornets host the Nets on Wednesday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) reacts as he trips over Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) walks off the court and and to the locker room after tripping during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, left, reacts after tripping over Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James directs a play during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) reacts after making a basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, top left, dunks over Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee, left, talks with guard LaMelo Ball (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis reacts after dunking against the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (5) guards against Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s motorcade took a different route than usual to the airport as he was departing Florida on Sunday due to a “suspicious object,” according to the White House.

The object, which the White House did not describe, was discovered during security sweeps in advance of Trump’s arrival at Palm Beach International Airport.

“A further investigation was warranted and the presidential motorcade route was adjusted accordingly,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Sunday.

The president, when asked about the package by reporters, said, “I know nothing about it.”

Trump left his Palm Beach, Florida, club, Mar-a-Lago, around 6:20 p.m. for the roughly 10-minute drive to the airport, but took a circular route around the city to get there.

During the drive, police officers on motorcycles created a moving blockade for the motorcade, at one point almost colliding with the vans that accompanied Trump.

Air Force One was parked on the opposite side of the airport from where it is usually located and the lights outside the plane were turned off.

Anthony Guglielmi, the spokesman for U.S. Secret Service, said the secondary route was taken just as a precaution and that “that is standard protocol.”

President Donald Trump departs Trump International Golf Club in the presidential limousine, known as The Beast, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)