LeBron James closed out the NBA regular season with a strong performance, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. James had a triple-double with 28 points, 17 assists, 11 rebounds, and five steals. The win secured the eighth seed in the Western Conference for the Lakers. Anthony Davis also had a strong game, scoring 30 points and 11 rebounds, setting up a rematch with the Pelicans in the play-in game.
Despite suffering a minor back injury, Davis is confident that he will be ready to play in the upcoming play-in game. The Lakers dominated the Pelicans in the paint, outscoring them 68-42. James’ playmaking was a key factor in their success, as he focused on finding his teammates and setting them up for scoring opportunities. He also played a role in limiting Zion Williamson to just 12 points, well below his season average.
The Lakers received contributions from Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell, who scored 20 and 19 points respectively. CJ McCollum led the Pelicans with 23 points, but Brandon Ingram, who returned from injury, struggled to make an impact with 13 points. The Pelicans missed an opportunity to secure a higher seed and avoid the play-in game, as the Lakers dominated them once again.
The Lakers capitalized on the Pelicans’ poor shooting, grabbing long rebounds and converting in transition. They built a substantial lead in the second quarter, with Reaves and Russell hitting key shots to extend their advantage. The third quarter saw the Lakers continue to dominate, with Reaves, Russell, and Davis leading the charge. Despite the loss, Williamson remains confident in his team’s abilities moving forward.
Pelicans coach Willie Green acknowledged that his team missed a golden opportunity to secure a better seed in the playoffs. The Lakers’ strong performance was reminiscent of their previous matchup in December, where they thoroughly outplayed the Pelicans. Both teams will now prepare for the upcoming play-in game, with the Lakers aiming to continue their late-season momentum and secure a spot in the playoffs.
