Overview
- The Lakers beat the Pelicans by 14 to improve to 2-0 in NBA Cup group play.
- DeAndre Ayton passed up an open basket in the final seconds out of respect for Pelicans coach Willie Green.
- Ayton told reporters he was "a little confused" about the Cup rules and apologized to teammates after learning the stakes.
- Marcus Smart urged Ayton to score because point differential serves as the key group tiebreaker.
- Los Angeles still owns a +19 point differential, and Ayton finished with 20 points and 16 rebounds.