Follow usLeBron James delivered a vintage performance, tallying 23 points, nine assists, and nine rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a hard-fought 110-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in the Western Conference play-in tournament on Tuesday night.
Despite a remarkable 40-point, 11-rebound effort from Zion Williamson, the Pelicans fell short in their quest for victory. Williamson’s impact was evident until he exited the game due to an apparent injury shortly after tying the score at 95 with a driving layup. His absence proved pivotal, as the Lakers capitalized on the opportunity, with key contributions from James, Anthony Davis, and DeAngelo Russell.
Davis played a crucial role with a double-double performance, registering 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Russell added 21 points, including five three-pointers. James and Davis were flawless from the free-throw line, collectively going 18 of 20.
With the win, the Lakers secured a spot in the playoffs and are set to face off against the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the first round, marking a rematch of last season’s Western Conference finals. The series is scheduled to commence on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans will host the Sacramento Kings on Friday in a high-stakes showdown to determine the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. The winner of this clash will advance to the playoffs, while the loser will see their postseason aspirations come to an end.
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