Key Takeaways:
- Luka Doncic contributed 27 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists to lead the Lakers past the Pelicans 110-101 on Tuesday night in Los Angeles
- The Lakers overturned a fourth-quarter deficit with a decisive 24-7 run to extend their winning streak to three matches
- Zion Williamson returned from injury to score 24 points, as New Orleans suffered their second loss in six games during their West Coast trip
Late Surge Powers Lakers to Victory
The Los Angeles Lakers mounted an impressive comeback on Tuesday night at home, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 110-101 to register their third straight triumph. Despite trailing in the fourth quarter and struggling with 21 turnovers, the Lakers unleashed a 14-point unanswered run before closing the contest on a 24-7 surge.
Luka Doncic was instrumental in the win, recording 27 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. LeBron James added 21 points alongside seven rebounds and seven assists, shooting 8-for-12 from the field to move within two baskets of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time NBA field goal record of 15,837. Deandre Ayton contributed 13 points and eight rebounds, reinforcing the Lakers’ presence in the paint.
Got it done in the clutch pic.twitter.com/0lPbShmpFX
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 4, 2026
Austin Reaves and Lakers’ Defence Key Down the Stretch
Austin Reaves overcame a shaky start – missing his first eight shots – to finish with 15 points and played a crucial part in the Lakers’ late run. New Orleans had established an eight-point lead with just over seven minutes remaining, but Los Angeles responded with intense defensive pressure, keeping the Pelicans scoreless for a 4:18 stretch.
Reaves’ three-pointer with 5:04 left gave the Lakers a 96-94 lead, while Marcus Smart and Doncic each hit key threes in the final two minutes. Smart delivered an all-around performance, tallying 10 points, seven assists, four steals and three blocks.
Pelicans’ Strong Effort Not Enough
Zion Williamson returned to the line-up after missing the previous game due to an ankle injury sustained last Saturday, posting 24 points for the Pelicans. Trey Murphy III added 21 points, and Saddiq Bey finished with 18 points. However, New Orleans faltered in the closing minutes and lost for only the second time in their last six outings, marking the fourth contest of their six-game road trip.
Statistical Summary
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luka Doncic | Lakers | 27 | 10 | 7 |
| LeBron James | Lakers | 21 | 7 | 7 |
| Deandre Ayton | Lakers | 13 | 8 | 1 |
| Austin Reaves | Lakers | 15 | 8 | 3 |
| Marcus Smart | Lakers | 10 | 3 | 7 |
| Zion Williamson | Pelicans | 24 | 4 | 0 |
| Trey Murphy III | Pelicans | 21 | 8 | 4 |
| Saddiq Bey | Pelicans | 18 | 5 | 3 |
Additional Notes
- Luka Doncic picked up his 14th technical foul of the season in the second quarter; he will receive a suspension upon collecting his 16th
- The Lakers will travel to Denver for their next fixture on Thursday night, while the Pelicans are scheduled to face Sacramento the same evening
