Friday night's bout between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Charlotte Hornets produced quite a spectacle. Russell Westbrook was the star of the show for an extremely shorthanded Lakers side who were missing both LeBron James and Anthony Davis, among others, due to respective injuries. On the opposing side, it was Miles Bridges who stepped up big time for the Hornets and his toe-to-toe battle with Russ got a little bit heated at certain points in the game.

Late in the fourth period, Bridges was whistled for a technical foul for taunting Westbrook with the “too small” gesture. This was right after Bridges scored an and-1 play over the Lakers star. After the game, however, Bridges played down the incident. He also had nothing but praise for Westbrook as he called out what he believes to be unwarranted hate towards the nine-time All-Star:

“Russell Westbrook,” Bridges responded when asked what he thought made Friday's contest so difficult to close out. “I mean he gets all the hate in the world but you gotta praise the man. He was the MVP in this league, making the Finals. He's a great player, man. All the hate he get, I don't get it. Russell Westbrook he did a great job.”

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
Coco Gauff of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the women’s singles final against Aryna Sabalenka on day 14 at Roland Garros Stadium.
LeBron James erupts with huge reaction to Coco Gauff’s French Open winLorenzo J Reyna ·
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kobe Bryant, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers
How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander draws ‘influence’ from Kobe BryantTomer Azarly ·
LeBron James, Stephen (Steph) Curry, who may be heading to an ESPN NBA broadcasting booth after they retire, after Lakers-Warriors game on December 25, 2024.
ESPN has ‘hopeful’ LeBron James, Stephen Curry wishAndrew Korpan ·
Chris Paul rescinded NBA trade Lakers Hornets
Chris Paul shuts down Hornets-Lakers trade conspiracyJulian Ojeda ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the fourth quarter.
Luka Doncic’s offseason body transformation has Lakers fans hypedJedd Pagaduan ·
Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal stands next to Kobe Bryant with GOAT signs in background
Shaquille O’Neal has no regrets over treatment of Kobe BryantRandall Barnes ·

Westbrook's season-high 35-point effort was matched by Bridges, who himself finished with a team-high 26 points. In the end, the Hornets were able to outduel the Lakers, 117-114, as Charlotte logged back-to-back wins. LA, on the other hand, has now lost two straight and their seventh in the last ten games.