The New Orleans Pelicans, mired in a difficult season, will try to snap their three-game road losing streak as they visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. The Pelicans sit at 21-55, locked into 14th place in the Western Conference, while the Lakers, at 46-30, are in the thick of a competitive race for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. With only six games remaining, every contest is crucial for Los Angeles as they attempt to fend off Golden State and Denver in the standings.
Injury Concerns and Key Players
Despite the absence of several starters and key reserves, the Pelicans have shown some fight. Jose Alvarado and Bruce Brown led a scrappy effort in their loss to the Clippers. New Orleans shot well from the field but struggled beyond the arc, hitting just four of 22 three-point attempts, tying a season-low for makes. Turnovers also plagued the Pelicans, an issue that could prove costly against a Lakers team that thrives in transition.
New Orleans turned it over 15 times against the Clippers, the Pelicans’ 40th game with at least 15 this season. They are 7-33 in those games. Last season, the Pels only had 25 games with 15 or more giveaways.
The Lakers, coming off a tough loss to the Warriors, have been inconsistent in recent weeks, going 5-5 over their last 10 games. LeBron James played 40 minutes in that game, but his status for Friday remains uncertain. Austin Reaves knocked down a career-high nine three-pointers against Golden State, but the Lakers’ defensive struggles allowed Stephen Curry and company to take control late. Given their remaining schedule, this is one of the few games against a non-playoff team, making it a must-win for Los Angeles.
Young Players Stepping Up
An important factor in this matchup will be how the Pelicans’ young core responds to the Lakers’ defensive pressure. Rookies Keion Brooks Jr., Antonio Reeves, and Karlo Matkovic have seen increased roles, and their ability to contribute against a veteran Lakers squad will be key. Yves Missi has been the team’s steadiest presence, leading the Pels in starts this season. New Orleans has relied heavily on their young players in the past six games, ranking third in rookie scoring across the league during that span. However, they may not be enough to keep pace with a motivated Lakers team.
Head-to-Head Matchup
The season series between these teams has been one-sided. Los Angeles pulled off a second-half comeback to win in New Orleans in November, then dominated the Pelicans inside to win their last meeting in early March. The Pelicans’ lineup has undergone drastic changes since then, using 16 different players in the two matchups, with only Kelly Olynyk remaining from the group that has averaged double-digit scoring against the Lakers. With so much roster turnover, New Orleans will need an inspired performance to challenge a playoff contender and snap a five-game losing streak to Los Angeles.
Final Outlook
For the Lakers, the challenge is balancing their workload on the second night of a back-to-back. With so much at stake, they cannot afford to slip against a struggling Pelicans squad. If James plays, the Lakers will have a clear advantage, but if he sits, they will need big performances from Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Luka Doncic to secure the win.
The Pelicans, meanwhile, are simply looking for growth and competitiveness in these final games. With their core sidelined, the opportunity for young players to step up remains the silver lining. Even in what is likely to be a loss, New Orleans hopes to show resilience and make the Lakers work for every point.
Most Recent Starting Lineups
| Los Angeles Lakers | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Austin Reaves | G – Jose Alvarado |
| G – Luka Doncic | G – Antonio Reeves |
| F – Rui Hachimura | F – Bruce Brown |
| F – LeBron James | F – Kelly Olynyk |
| C – Jaxson Hayes | F – Yves Missi |
Injuries
Los Angeles Lakers: Maxi Kleber (right foot surgery) is OUT.
New Orleans Pelicans: Brandon Boston (left ankle stress reaction), Jordan Hawkins (lumbar spine annular fissure), Herb Jones (right shoulder torn rotator cuff), Trey Murphy (right shoulder), CJ McCollum (right foot contusion), Dejounte Murray (right Achilles rupture), and Zion Williamson (low back contusion) are OUT.
Who: New Orleans Pelicans (21-55) vs Los Angeles Lakers (46-29)
Season Series:
- Nov. 16: Lakers def. Pelicans, 104-99
- Mar. 4: Lakers def. Pelicans, 136-115
- Apr. 4: Pelicans at Lakers
Series History: The New Orleans Pelicans are 28-49 all-time against the Los Angeles Lakers and have lost five straight in the series.
Where: Crypto.com Arena
When: Apr. 4, 7:30 PM CT
Where to watch: Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network/WVUE
Where to listen: WWL Radio 870 AM/105.3 FM
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