Overview
- Austin Reaves scored 31 points, Luka Doncic added 24 points and 12 assists, and Deandre Ayton posted 20 points and 16 rebounds to lead Los Angeles.
- The Lakers led by 13 at halftime and used an 11-0 third-quarter run to build a 22-point cushion before holding off a late New Orleans push.
- Los Angeles improved to 2-0 in NBA Cup play to remain atop West Group B, while New Orleans fell to 0-2 in the tournament.
- The Pelicans dropped their fourth straight and are 2-10 overall, with Trey Murphy III scoring 35 points as their top performer.
- Both teams were without their stars, with LeBron James out due to right sciatica and Zion Williamson sidelined by a left hamstring strain; next, the Lakers visit Milwaukee on Saturday and the Pelicans host Golden State on Sunday.