Zion Williamson delivered an All-World performance on Tuesday night, but it wasn’t enough to outdo the brilliance of Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Despite Williamson’s 37-point outing, the New Orleans Pelicans couldn’t keep pace with the Los Angeles Lakers, falling 136-115 at Crypto.com Arena.
The loss wrapped up a competitive 2-2 road trip for the Pelicans, who have looked much improved in recent weeks but were outgunned by a Lakers squad that has won 17 of its last 20 games. James put up 34 points, becoming the first player in NBA history to surpass 50,000 combined regular-season and playoff points, while Doncic added 30 points, 15 assists, and eight rebounds.
Zion’s Dominance Not Enough
For all the talk about the Lakers’ star power, Williamson was the most dominant player on the court for stretches of the game. He scored 21 points in the first half alone, repeatedly getting to the rim and finishing through contact. His efficiency was off the charts, as he shot 17-of-23 from the field while adding six assists.
In a moment reminiscent of his electrifying 40-point play-in performance against the Lakers last April, Williamson bullied defenders in the paint and threw down one of his most memorable dunks—posterizing former teammate Trey Jemison late in the third quarter. But much like that game 11 months ago, his heroics weren’t enough to keep New Orleans within striking distance.
Lakers’ Stars Take Over
Los Angeles had an answer for every Pelicans push. Doncic set the tone early with 17 points in the first quarter, torching New Orleans from deep and carving up the defense with pinpoint passing. James, meanwhile, played with his usual mix of power and finesse, getting to the free-throw line at will and controlling the game’s tempo.
Even with Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura sidelined, the Lakers got key contributions from their supporting cast. Former Pelicans center Jaxson Hayes had a season-high 19 points, all on dunks and layups, while grabbing 10 rebounds. L.A. dominated the glass, outrebounding New Orleans 51-35, a key factor in the blowout.
Missed Opportunities for New Orleans
For a team that has relied on rebounding to win games post-All-Star break, the Pelicans couldn’t control the boards against a Lakers squad that outworked them in the paint.
Beyond the rebounding struggles, the Pelicans also failed to capitalize at the free-throw line, shooting just 14-of-21. And while New Orleans has been streaky from beyond the arc all season, their 9-of-34 (26%) performance from deep didn’t help their cause. Jordan Hawkins (4-of-10 from three) was one of the few bright spots in that department, finishing with 17 points off the bench.
A Competitive Road Trip
Despite the loss, New Orleans will return home feeling encouraged about its recent play. The Pelicans have won five of their last seven games since acquiring Kelly Olynyk and Bruce Brown, and their 2-2 road trip showed signs of progress.
Next up, they’ll host the Houston Rockets on Thursday night to start a five-game home stand.
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