Overview
- Los Angeles beat New Orleans 118-104 to move to 9-4 overall and 2-0 in Cup group play, led by Austin Reaves’ 31 points and Luka Dončić’s 24 points with 12 assists.
- Deandre Ayton added 20 points and 16 rebounds as the Lakers built a 22-point cushion and improved to 6-2 on the road.
- The win keeps L.A. atop West Group B in the Emirates NBA Cup, where point differential is a key tiebreaker.
- For the road-trip finale in Milwaukee, the Lakers ruled out Rui Hachimura (left calf soreness) and Marcus Smart (viral illness), while Dončić is available for his first back-to-back of the season.
- Rookie Adou Thiero was activated Friday and could see minutes against the Bucks as Redick manages short-term absences.