In what turned out to be a high-energy showdown at Crypto.com Arena, the Los Angeles Lakers outlasted the New Orleans Pelicans 124-108 in a pivotal Western Conference clash. Fueled by an explosive second-half surge and a career-defining performance from Austin Reaves, the Lakers not only captured a crucial win but also sent a message to the rest of the conference: they’re not just playoff hopefuls — they’re a team to watch.
Let’s dive into the drama, the big plays, and the takeaways from a game that could be a defining moment in the Lakers’ season.
First Quarter: Pelicans Come Out Swinging
Despite being short-handed — with Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum both sidelined — the Pelicans started the game with aggression and confidence. Jose Alvarado, often the underdog hero, lit a spark for New Orleans, scoring 10 quick points in the opening five minutes. His energy on both ends disrupted the Lakers’ rhythm and gave the Pelicans an early lead.
Brandon Ingram, returning to familiar territory in Los Angeles, added a steady stream of mid-range jumpers, capitalizing on the Lakers’ switching defense. The Pelicans pushed the tempo, and the Lakers struggled initially to keep up.
On the Lakers’ side, LeBron James and Anthony Davis were both active but not dominant in the first frame. It was Austin Reaves, surprisingly, who kept the Lakers afloat — nailing a couple of tough pull-up jumpers and drawing contact on drives to the rim.
By the end of the first, the Pelicans held a narrow lead, 31-27.
Second Quarter: Reaves Ignites, Lakers Find Their Flow
The second quarter saw the game slow down into a half-court battle. That suited the Lakers just fine.
Austin Reaves began to impose his will. Known for his craftiness and high basketball IQ, Reaves picked apart the Pelicans’ defense with a variety of floaters, fadeaways, and tough layups through traffic. With James facilitating and Reaves finishing, the Lakers turned a 6-point deficit into a 10-point lead in a matter of minutes.
Defensively, Jarred Vanderbilt and Rui Hachimura made their presence felt. Vanderbilt hounded Ingram and forced turnovers, while Hachimura’s length disrupted passing lanes.
By halftime, the Lakers led 58-51. Reaves had already scored 18 points, while Davis quietly compiled a double-double by dominating the glass and protecting the rim.
Third Quarter: Pelicans Strike Back
The Pelicans regrouped after halftime and came out with renewed urgency. Ingram caught fire, hitting contested jumpers and getting to the line. Herb Jones stepped up defensively, intercepting lazy passes and converting them into fast-break points. New Orleans went on a 12-2 run early in the third, retaking the lead and silencing the LA crowd.
LeBron responded like only he can — with a flurry of drives and kick-outs that led to wide-open threes for D’Angelo Russell and Taurean Prince. Though James wasn’t having a typical scoring night, his playmaking and leadership were crucial in keeping the Lakers composed.
The quarter remained tightly contested, with multiple lead changes. Alvarado continued to make big plays, including a buzzer-beating floater to tie it 86-86 heading into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter: Reaves and the Lakers Slam the Door Shut
With 12 minutes to go and the game hanging in the balance, Austin Reaves re-entered the game — and everything changed.
Reaves scored or assisted on the Lakers’ next 14 points, including back-to-back threes and a no-look assist to Davis for a thunderous dunk. His poise under pressure and creative playmaking opened up the floor, allowing the Lakers to pull away.
Davis was dominant in the paint, blocking shots and altering everything near the rim. Meanwhile, LeBron picked apart the Pelicans’ trapping schemes with cross-court passes and transition outlets.
With five minutes left, the Lakers led by 10. A desperation attempt by New Orleans to trap and force turnovers was met with calm execution by LA. Reaves continued his onslaught, hitting a dagger step-back three that blew the roof off the arena.
The final five minutes were more celebration than competition. The Lakers closed on a 17-6 run, turning a close game into a statement win.
Final Score: Lakers 124, Pelicans 108
Player Spotlight: Austin Reaves — The X-Factor
This was Austin Reaves’ night.
He finished with 32 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and a +18 plus-minus rating. His ability to read the game, make the right decisions, and hit tough shots gave the Lakers a lifeline when their stars were quiet.
Reaves has shown flashes of brilliance before, but this was a coming-out party on a big stage. He outdueled Jose Alvarado down the stretch and proved he can be a reliable option in high-leverage moments.
His performance drew high praise from LeBron postgame:
“Austin’s just built different,” James said. “He works, he competes, and tonight he showed why we trust him with the ball when it matters.”
Supporting Cast Steps Up
While Reaves was the star, the Lakers got important contributions across the board:
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Anthony Davis: 24 points, 15 rebounds, 4 blocks — dominant defensively.
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LeBron James: 18 points, 10 assists — more conductor than scorer.
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D’Angelo Russell: 14 points, 3 threes — key in spacing the floor.
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Rui Hachimura: 9 points, 7 rebounds — provided key hustle plays.
Coach Darvin Ham praised the team’s balance:
“It wasn’t just one guy — it was all of them trusting each other. That’s how we want to play.”
What Went Wrong for the Pelicans
The Pelicans played hard, but the absence of Zion and CJ McCollum was just too much to overcome. Ingram carried the scoring load with 29 points, but the supporting cast ran out of gas.
Turnovers were the killer — New Orleans gave the ball away 18 times, leading to 25 Lakers points.
The loss exposed their lack of late-game shot creators, a problem that could haunt them if McCollum remains sidelined for long.
Coaching Moves: Ham’s Patience Pays Off
Darvin Ham stuck with Reaves and Russell in the backcourt down the stretch, resisting the urge to go bigger. That spacing allowed Davis to operate more freely inside and gave Reaves the room he needed to create.
Willie Green, coaching the Pelicans, had his team ready — but their limited depth became evident late in the game. His decision to double LeBron aggressively in the fourth opened the door for others to beat them — and they did.
Playoff Implications: A Huge Win for LA
This wasn’t just a win — it was a tone-setter.
With this victory, the Lakers moved up in the Western Conference standings and now hold a critical tiebreaker over the Pelicans. In such a tightly packed race, every edge matters.
If the Lakers continue playing with this balance and defensive focus, they could avoid the play-in entirely and secure a top-six seed.
Fan Reactions and Arena Energy
Crypto.com Arena was buzzing all night — and erupted during Reaves’ fourth-quarter heroics. Social media lit up with praise for him, with hashtags like #HillbillyKobe and #ReavesSeason trending by game’s end.
Fans have embraced Reaves not just for his game but for his fearless attitude. His underdog story is becoming central to the Lakers’ identity.
Looking Ahead
Lakers: Their next matchup is against the Phoenix Suns — another potential playoff preview. They’ll look to continue their momentum and build on their recent stretch of solid play.
Pelicans: Injuries continue to cloud their season. They need to get healthy quickly if they want to avoid the play-in or worse. The return of Zion could be the difference between a first-round appearance and an early summer.
This game was more than just another notch in the win column. It was a declaration from the Lakers that they have the depth, the chemistry, and the hunger to be a problem in the postseason.
Austin Reaves proved that he’s not just a role player — he’s a gamer.
And for the Lakers, that might be the biggest win of all.
