LeBron James, Luka Doncic Lead Lakers Past Pelicans in 111-103 Win/ newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ LeBron James and Luka Doncic each scored 30 points to lead the Lakers to a 111-103 win over the Pelicans. Los Angeles overcame a late third-quarter deficit with a dominant fourth-quarter run. Trey Murphy scored a career-high 41 for New Orleans in the loss.
Lakers vs Pelicans Game Recap Quick Looks
- LeBron James and Luka Doncic both score 30 points
- Doncic adds 10 assists, hits clutch 3-pointers late
- Lakers outscore Pelicans 18-4 to start fourth quarter
- Deandre Ayton records 18 points and 11 rebounds
- Lakers have won four of their last five games
- Pelicans drop eighth straight, despite Murphy’s 41-point performance
- Zion Williamson limited to 15 points
- Derik Queen posts double-double with 10 points, 13 rebounds
- Pelicans miss 30 of 40 attempted 3-pointers
- Lakers shoot 50.6%, Pelicans shoot 44% overall
LeBron James, Luka Doncic Lead Lakers Past Pelicans in 111-103 Win
Deep Look
LeBron James and Luka Doncic combined for 60 points Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Lakers surged past the New Orleans Pelicans 111-103 at Smoothie King Center. Both stars scored 30 apiece, with Doncic adding 10 assists and hitting two off-balance, desperation three-pointers that energized the Lakers in a pivotal fourth-quarter stretch.
The Lakers improved to 4-1 in their last five games, continuing their momentum in the Western Conference. Deandre Ayton contributed significantly with 18 points and 11 rebounds, helping Los Angeles dominate the paint during their decisive final-quarter run.
Despite holding a nine-point lead late in the third quarter, the Pelicans collapsed in the fourth. Los Angeles opened the final period with an 18-4 run, sparked by back-to-back threes from James, another long-range shot from rookie Dalton Knecht, and two strong finishes by Ayton. The surge flipped the game, giving the Lakers a 97-90 lead that the Pelicans couldn’t overcome.
Trey Murphy delivered a career performance for New Orleans, scoring 41 points, including 20 in the third quarter alone. His hot hand briefly gave the Pelicans momentum, and a reverse scoop layup as he was fouled helped New Orleans take an 86-79 lead into the final period. But the team failed to match the Lakers’ energy down the stretch.
Zion Williamson, typically a dominant presence, was held to just 15 points and missed four of his seven free-throw attempts. Rookie center Derik Queen added 10 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, showing flashes of promise for the struggling Pelicans, who have now lost eight straight games.
Herb Jones returned from a right ankle injury that sidelined him for seven games but couldn’t find his rhythm, hitting just one of nine shots from the field. As a team, New Orleans struggled from deep, converting only 10 of 40 attempts from beyond the arc.
The Lakers shot efficiently, finishing at 50.6% from the floor (43 of 85), while the Pelicans managed only 44% (40 of 91). Free throw inconsistency also plagued New Orleans, as they missed five of their 18 attempts, further widening the gap in a tightly contested game.
The game remained close until late in the third quarter, when Karlo Matkovic’s free throws gave the Pelicans an 83-74 advantage — their largest of the night. But James quickly responded with three free throws and a thunderous breakaway dunk, setting the stage for the Lakers’ fourth-quarter takeover.
With the loss, the Pelicans continue to slide, now facing rising pressure to halt their losing streak as the season progresses. The Lakers, meanwhile, continue to build chemistry, with Doncic and James proving to be a dynamic scoring duo capable of closing out tight games.
Up Next:
- Lakers: Visit the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night
- Pelicans: Travel to face the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday
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