The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t just win on Friday night—they reasserted their identity. Down 121-92 to the Oklahoma City Thunder just two nights prior, the Lakers responded with a 118-104 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, turning a shaky road trip into a momentum-builder. Luka Dončić, the 26-year-old Slovenian maestro, delivered a near-triple-double with 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 12 assists, while Austin Reaves exploded for a team-high 31 points, carrying the scoring load when it mattered most. The win improved the Lakers’ record to 9-4, while the Pelicans dropped to 2-10, their season unraveling under the weight of inconsistency and defensive lapses.
A Bounce-Back Built on Discipline
It wasn’t pretty early. Against the Thunder on Wednesday, the Lakers looked lost—20 turnovers, 40.3% shooting, and a collective collapse that left even their most loyal fans uneasy. Head coach JJ Redick, in his first season after retiring as a sharpshooter, called it "lots to clean up." And clean it up they did. Against New Orleans, they turned the ball over just 11 times. They moved the ball with purpose. They defended in waves. And when Dončić missed his first three shots, he didn’t force anything. He watched. He read. He waited.That patience paid off. With the Lakers trailing 17-15 in the first quarter, Dončić initiated a 15-0 run that flipped the script. Every player scored during the burst. No one forced a shot. It was basketball as art—passing, cutting, spacing. By halftime, he had 7 assists, mostly feeding Rui Hachimura on baseline cuts and DeAndre Jordan on pick-and-roll rolls. The offense wasn’t just working—it was breathing.
Reaves Carries the Torch
If Dončić was the conductor, Reaves was the soloist. The 26-year-old shooting guard, often overshadowed by superstar teammates, played like a man with something to prove. He hit pull-ups off the dribble. He drove through traffic. He even sank a pair of clutch threes in the fourth quarter when the Pelicans clawed back. His 31 points weren’t just numbers—they were a statement. After scoring a season-low 13 against Oklahoma City, he responded with the kind of performance that silences doubters. "He’s been waiting for this," one Lakers assistant whispered postgame. "He’s not just a role player. He’s a closer."Pelicans’ Glimmers in the Dark
New Orleans didn’t go quietly. Trey Murphy III, the 24-year-old small forward, dropped a game-high 35 points, hitting threes from all angles. But his heroics were overshadowed by the team’s lack of structure. The Pelicans committed 18 turnovers, and their bench, led by rookie Derik Queen, couldn’t sustain momentum. Queen, the 6-foot-9 forward from Maryland, played a career-high 37 minutes and scored 26 in the previous game against Portland. He’s raw, explosive, and fearless—"I feel like I’m a mismatch," he said after the loss. But against the Lakers, he was neutralized by disciplined rotations and smart help defense. He finished with just 12 points on 5-for-15 shooting. The Pelicans’ young core has talent. But talent without cohesion? That’s just noise.
What This Means for the Lakers’ Season
This win wasn’t just about fixing turnovers. It was about rediscovering identity. The Lakers aren’t a team built to outscore everyone. They’re built to control tempo, exploit mismatches, and win in the half-court. Dončić, now in his first season with Los Angeles after a blockbuster trade, is learning to lead—not just score. Reaves is evolving into a secondary playmaker. And Redick, once criticized for his inexperience, is proving he understands the pulse of this roster.The Lakers now sit in the top four of the Western Conference. Their five-game road trip continues with two more Emirates NBA Cup group games. But more importantly, they’ve shown they can recover from adversity. That’s rare. That’s valuable. That’s championship DNA.
Behind the Numbers: The Real Story
- The Lakers improved their offensive rating from 108.7 (vs. OKC) to 122.4 against New Orleans.- Dončić’s 12 assists were his highest since joining the Lakers.
- Reaves shot 12-for-21 from the field—his best efficiency in a month.
- The Pelicans allowed 41 points in the paint, a direct result of poor interior rotations.
- Los Angeles held New Orleans to 37% shooting from three, down from their season average of 39.5%.
The game wasn’t just won by points. It was won by poise. By timing. By knowing when to push—and when to slow down.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Luka Dončić turn his game around after a poor performance against the Thunder?
After scoring just 19 points and shooting 11-for-32 against Oklahoma City, Dončić shifted focus from scoring to playmaking. He initiated offense early, used pick-and-roll pressure to draw defenders, and trusted his teammates. His first three-pointer in the second quarter opened the floor, and his 12 assists—including 7 by halftime—showed his ability to elevate the team even when his shot wasn’t falling.
Why is Austin Reaves’ performance so critical for the Lakers’ success?
Reaves is the Lakers’ most reliable scorer when defenses focus on Dončić. His 31-point outburst came after a season-low 13 against OKC, proving he can carry the offensive load. He’s not just a shooter—he’s a driver, a finisher, and a clutch performer. His ability to create his own shot gives the Lakers a vital second option, especially in close games.
What’s the impact of the Lakers’ turnover reduction from 20 to 11?
Turnovers cost the Lakers 26 points against the Thunder. Cutting that to 11 against New Orleans meant 14 fewer points given away. That’s the difference between a loss and a win. It also allowed the Lakers to run more structured offense, which played directly into Dončić’s strengths and minimized the Pelicans’ transition opportunities.
Is Derik Queen the future of the Pelicans?
Queen has the tools—size, athleticism, confidence—but he’s still learning spacing and defensive positioning. His 37-minute performance against Portland showed his potential, but against the Lakers, he was overmatched defensively and inefficient offensively. He’s a project, not a savior. The Pelicans need more than one rookie to turn things around.
How does this win affect the Lakers’ playoff chances?
With a 9-4 record, the Lakers are firmly in the Western Conference’s top four. More than wins, this victory proves they can win under pressure, recover from bad losses, and adapt mid-game. Dončić’s leadership and Reaves’ scoring consistency are now key indicators of their postseason viability. If they maintain this level of discipline, they’re a serious contender.
What’s next for the Lakers and Pelicans?
The Lakers continue their road trip with two more Emirates NBA Cup games, including a matchup against the Golden State Warriors. The Pelicans, now 2-10, face the Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets in back-to-back games—both winnable, but only if they fix their defensive rotations and reduce turnovers. Their season hinges on whether they can build chemistry around Queen and Murphy III before the trade deadline.
