LeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 110-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in the Western Conference play-in tournament, securing a playoff berth. Despite a stellar performance by Zion Williamson with 40 points and 11 rebounds in his postseason debut, his exit due to a left leg injury impacted the Pelicans’ chances. Anthony Davis contributed 20 points and 15 rebounds, while DeAngelo Russell added 21 points, leading the Lakers to victory.
The Lakers will now face the Denver Nuggets in a first-round playoff matchup, while the Pelicans await the winner of the play-in game between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings. Los Angeles relied on their three-point shooting, going 14 of 35 from beyond the arc, while the Pelicans struggled to keep up, hitting only 9 of 29 three-point attempts. Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum had difficulty scoring, scoring only 11 and 9 points respectively.
Trey Murphy III’s performance, including two deep threes in the second half, helped the Pelicans cut into the Lakers’ lead, ultimately tying the game after being down by as many as 18 points. New Orleans mounted a comeback in the third quarter by outscoring the Lakers, led by Williamson and Murphy. However, despite the efforts of Williamson, the Pelicans fell short down the stretch, unable to close the game in the final minutes.
The Pelicans started strong in the opening quarter, taking an early lead before the Lakers surged ahead in the second period. Los Angeles capitalized on their three-point shooting, with Russell hitting crucial shots to extend their lead. Williamson tried to keep the Pelicans in the game with his scoring, but New Orleans struggled from beyond the arc in the first half. The Lakers looked to avenge a previous loss to the Pelicans and played with determination to secure a playoff spot.
In their upcoming matchup with the Nuggets, the Lakers will need to continue their strong play, particularly from James, Davis, and Russell. The Pelicans will await their opponent from the play-in tournament and aim to regroup for their next game. Overall, the Lakers’ victory over the Pelicans was a hard-fought battle, with both teams showcasing their talent and resilience. As the postseason progresses, both teams will look to make an impact and advance in the Western Conference playoffs.
