Lakers Secure 110-101 Victory Over Pelicans in Competitive Matchup
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 110-101 on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena, overcoming a late deficit with a strong closing run. The Lakers’ victory came against a Pelicans team that was at full strength for the first time this season, with Zion Williamson returning from a right ankle sprain according to NOLA.com.
Lakers Rally to Seal the Win
The Pelicans built a 94-86 lead with 7:20 remaining in the fourth quarter, but the Lakers responded with a 14-0 run and finished the game on a 22-7 surge to secure the 110-101 victory. Coach JJ Redick noted this type of win hadn’t been seen from the Lakers since November as reported by the New York Post.
Key Performances
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. LeBron James contributed 21 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds. For the Pelicans, Zion Williamson led all scorers with 24 points, while Trey Murphy III added 21 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Dejounte Murray also had a strong performance with 15 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists as detailed by NOLA.com.
LeBron James on the Competition
“We knew we weren’t playing against their record,” LeBron James said. “It’s the first time they’ve been whole in quite awhile. And we know when they’ve been whole what kind of team they’ve been. We didn’t come in with the notion that we were playing against their record. We came in with the notion that we were playing a incredibly athletic team that’s been playing exceptional basketball of late.” according to the New York Post.
Pelicans Struggle with Turnovers
The Pelicans committed 19 turnovers, which the Lakers capitalized on, scoring 29 points off those mistakes. The Pelicans have now lost nine straight games against the Lakers, with their last win coming on December 31, 2023 as reported by NOLA.com.
Looking Ahead
With this win, the Lakers secured their third three-game winning streak since December. The Pelicans, now 19-44, continue to struggle this season despite a recent stretch of winning six of their last nine games. The team traded away their 2026 first-round pick during a transaction that allowed them to select Derik Queen at No. 13 in the 2025 draft as noted by the New York Post.