Overview
- Los Angeles closed with a 32-17 fourth quarter, sparked by early threes from LeBron James and two late bailout triples from Luka Dončić.
- James posted 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, Dončić added 30 and 10 assists, and Deandre Ayton delivered 18 points and 11 boards.
- The win moved the Lakers to 23-11 and handed New Orleans its eighth straight loss, dropping the Pelicans to 8-30.
- Trey Murphy III scored a career-high 41 for New Orleans, with Zion Williamson adding 15 and rookie Derik Queen contributing 10 points and 13 rebounds.
- Shorthanded L.A. remained without Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Adou Thiero, and Gabe Vincent sat again as the team evaluates LeBron’s participation in consecutive games on a case-by-case basis.