Game Recap

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Darius Soriano

In another game that came down to the final possession on Denver's home court, it was again a Jamal Murray jumper that sealed the Lakers fate, this time over the outstretched arm of Austin Reaves, in a 108-106 game that will leave the Lakers searching for answers and an entire offseason to reflect on where they could have been better and how to try to reach their goals next season.

The Lakers will kick themselves over the plays they did not make, whether it was their nine missed free throws, the open jumpers that did not fall (10-35 from behind the arc), or the rebounds they did not grab (nine Nuggets offensive rebounds for 15 points).

Just as they will lament the stinger that Anthony Davis suffered that cost him several minutes at the end of the 3rd quarter and limited his movement and effectiveness the rest of the game, their final timeout being lost when the team used, and won, their 2nd challenge of the game late in the 4th quarter to overturn a foul called on AD, and then not being able to advance the ball with three seconds left after Murray's fateful jumper and not being able to get up a shot that could have tied or won the game.

These are the sorts of moments that live in the mind long after the result of the game has settled in, magnified by the stakes of a playoff series on the line, coupled with all the contemplating and second guessing that if just one or two of those things go differently, maybe the entire outcome is shifted.

And while those are the memories that will certainly persist, all that went into this game being as close and as spirited a contest as it was should not be forgotten either. Many players on both sides laid it all on the line, and even though it was Denver who came out on top, the Lakers should be proud of how they played.

LeBron James was brilliant in defeat, nearly tallying a triple-double with 30 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists. Making 11 of his 21 shots, including three of his seven attempts from deep, LeBron continued to defy what should be possible for a player in his 21st season by taking the reins of his Lakers team on offense and dictating the flow of possession after possession to get good shots for either himself or a teammate for nearly the entirety of his 40 minutes played.

Denver never really found a solution for James' ability to orchestrate good offense as he beat their traditional matchups and coverages with pick-and-rolls between himself and AD or between himself and one of the guards for him to either get downhill for a drive, create a good look for his roll-man, or to spray the ball out to an open shooter.

And then when the Nuggets changed their coverages by either switching those screens or putting a smaller defender on him, LeBron bullied his way into the paint on drives or post ups, getting shots in the restricted area or kicking the ball out to teammates for open jumpers.

Anthony Davis was also great in this game, particularly though the 1st half and into the early part of the third quarter before his shoulder issue. AD was again able to find the creases of Denver's defense, slicing his way to the paint where he was able to finish at the rim with relative ease whether diving after setting screens, cutting to the ball, or running hard in transition to get buckets.

As it was all series, the Nuggets had few (if any) answers for Davis' combination of quickness, power, touch, and general ability to finish on the move, all of which allowed him to hit eight of his 11 shots from the field to score 17 points -- with 16 of those coming before he was hurt.

Davis also grabbed a team-high 15 rebounds, dished out four assists and blocked two shots in another game where he was great on the backboards and had a huge defensive ask to both defend Jokic one-on-one while also helping to protect the paint and help his perimeter players vs. Denver's movement and screen-heavy attack.

The Lakers also got double-digit scoring nights from the rest of their starting lineup as Austin Reaves (19 points, four assists), Rui Hachimura (15 points, five rebounds), and D'Angelo Russell (14 points, six assists), all had their moments where they were positive influences within the game and allowed the Lakers to either take the lead or battle back to keep the game close after the Nuggets had come back.

Despite these contributions, however, all three would likely point to the plays they could have made or the foul shots they missed or the shots they took that did not fall. Whether it was Reaves missing two of his three freebies after drawing a foul on a three-pointer, Rui not getting a few inside shots to fall on a layup and then a couple of put-backs, or Russell connecting on just two of his 10 attempts from behind the arc. Just as I'm sure LeBron and AD would do similar for some of the plays they would love to have back -- especially in a game where the final margin was this slim.

This is the nature of close games, though.

And in the end, Denver proved a worthy opponent and got the performances that speak to their championship pedigree and mettle. From Nikola Jokic scoring 25 points and grabbing 20 rebounds on a night he was not his best taking care of the ball (seven turnovers) to Jamal Murray playing through his calf strain to score 32 points and dish seven assists, the Nuggets earned their victory in a hard-fought game.

It's a shame someone had to lose a contest in which both teams battled the way they did, but unfortunately it was the Lakers who came out on the wrong side of things. And with that loss, their season is over, and for the second straight year at the hands of the Denver Nuggets. But that end does not come without a tremendous effort, both in the series overall and this Game 5 in which the team battled hard and can walk away with their heads held high even in the face of defeat.

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Lakers at Nuggets Game Highlights 04-29-24

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Lakers Push Nuggets to the Buzzer, but Game 5 Loss Ends their Season

In a game that could have ended their season if they'd lost, the Lakers fought back and staved off elimination with a 119-108 victory over the Nuggets in Game 4 Saturday night. The win snaps the Nuggets 11-game win streak over the Lakers and sends this series back to Denver for Game 5 where the Lakers will get another chance to keep their season alive.

The Lakers led by as many as 19 in this game and never trailed, upping the number of minutes they've led in this series to 136:29 out of the 192 total played to this point. This speaks to their ability to play winning basketball, while the final results have leaned towards Denver and shown their ability to come back and, ultimately, close out the Lakers down the stretch to claim wins.

That was not the case in Game 4, however, as the Lakers were able to turn around the areas in which they'd been outplayed in the previous contests, winning the battle of the backboards 46-40 and holding serve in the 3rd quarter to only lose two points off their 13-point halftime lead, setting up the 4th quarter as the ultimate test as to whether the team would have the mettle to fend off the defending champs.

The team answered the call and did just that, matching every Nuggets push with a counterpunch of their own, getting key buckets whenever Denver started to pull the game in their direction while mixing in enough defensive stops -- and rebounds -- to be able to hold on down the stretch.

LeBron was brilliant in that final frame, scoring 14 of his 30 points in the 4th quarter, mostly on drives to the rim and power post ups. When his team needed him to be his best, LeBron delivered by making six of his eight shots from the field while playing every second in the quarter (and 14 of 23 overall) to carry the team's offense. Playing mostly out of the pick-and-roll with guards and his big men setting screens for him, LeBron either drove against Denver's drop coverage defense or posted up against switches to control the flow of the game.

Beyond attacking the rim all night (18 of LeBron's shot attempts were in the paint), LeBron also had five rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block, playing an all-court game -- particularly in the 2nd half when the intensity picked up and his defensive activity was most needed.

One of LeBron's steals came with 2:42 left in the game when he swiped the ball from Jokic on what was going to be a handoff action with Murray, poking the ball away and then recovering the ball for an open court dunk that pushed the Lakers lead back up to 10. Which they were then able to hold onto down the stretch.

Anthony Davis was also amazing in this game, continuing his string of strong performances this entire series. AD finished with 25 points and a playoff career-high 23 rebounds to go along with six assists, another high-level night on both sides of the ball and an offensive performance in which he continuously got good looks against Denver's defense.

Davis connected on 11 of his 17 shots from the field, with all but one of those attempts coming in the paint and all but three of those coming right at or within the restricted area. AD drove, dove, posted, and slashed his way to the rim, using a combination of quickness and power to keep the defense off balance.

But it was AD's work on the glass that was his biggest contribution to the game, snaring half of his team's total rebounds and helping the Lakers win the battle of the backboards 46-40 -- the first time in the series the Lakers outrebounded Denver. And while AD only had one field goal attempt in the 4th quarter, he was still in the middle of the action, setting ball screens to help free up LeBron, D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves to get downhill and into the paint where they could score or create offense for others.

Down the stretch both Russell and Reaves benefited greatly from AD picks, allowing them to get into the paint, with his roll gravity then allowing them to get clean looks off because Jokic never left AD who was ready to receive a pass and score an easy basket. Both Russell and Reaves had wonderful games, scoring efficiently while also making plays for their teammates and their partnership with AD helped facilitate that success.

After closing Game 3 strong, Reaves carried that momentum forward to score 21 points and dish out six assists on seven of 15 shooting while making all six of his free throws. Austin was excellent getting downhill both coming off screens and when working in isolation, and then either getting good shots for himself or his teammates once he got to the paint.

As for Russell, he had a great bounce-back performance after going scoreless in Game 3. Russell matched Reaves with 21 points of his own, burying four of his eight three-pointers and eight of his 15 shots overall. Russell shot the ball with great confidence from beyond the arc, but also mixed in crafty drives for tough floaters and smooth finishes at the rim. Add in his four rebounds and four assists, and Russell played a strong floor game and really helped to lift his team when their backs were up against the wall.

As expected, though, the Nuggets were not going to just fold and let the Lakers do whatever they wanted all game. Denver got some excellent performances of their own, with Jokic posting a 33, 14, and 14 triple-double and Michael Porter Jr. continuing his strong series with a 27-point, 11-rebound game in which he made half of his 20 field goals and drilled four three-pointers. Jamal Murray also had a good scoring night with 22 points, though he needed 23 shot attempts to get those points and did not make a three-pointer on his four attempts.

Credit the Lakers, though, for continuing to push and for making the plays they needed to even as Denver started to turn up their pressure with clear intentions on breaking the Lakers heart one last time. But it was not meant to be this time. And now the Lakers will try to build on this game when they play Game 5 in Denver on Monday.

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Lakers Stay Alive with Game 4 Win Over Nuggets

The Lakers again got a great offensive game from Anthony Davis and an efficient scoring night from LeBron James, but it was not enough as their outside shooting struggles continued and their defense and rebounding was not up to the task against Denver's front court. The result was a 112-105 Nuggets victory that drops the Lakers to 0-3 in the series and on the verge of being eliminated by Denver for the 2nd straight season.

On the positive side, Anthony Davis had another wonderful night, leading the Lakers with 33 points, 15 rebounds, and three assists, converting on 14 of his 23 shot attempts from the field and while holding his own defensively and on the backboards against a physical Nuggets team.

AD played with wonderful decisiveness and quickness offensively, diving into the creases of the defense and showing off great burst when attacking the rim off the dribble to score inside irrespective of who was defending him. By the end of the game, Davis often found himself completely surrounded by Nuggets defenders who were either going to force him to pass the ball out or foul him instead of letting him score.

Outside of AD, LeBron scored the ball well from two-point range but, like his teammates, was never able to find his range from behind the arc. LeBron made 12 of his 20 shot attempts overall to score 26 points, but he was just one of six from deep and saw the Nuggets consistently try to shrink the floor on him defensively -- much as they did Davis. LeBron also dished out nine assists and grabbed five rebounds on the night.

Even with LeBron and AD scoring efficiently and finding ways to the rim against a compressed Nuggets defense, it was the Nuggets who had the more balanced attack and found many more avenues to find success against the Lakers on both sides of the floor.

Offensively, Denver got strong performances from both Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. as a great counterbalances to the attention the Lakers sent towards Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Gordon led the Nuggets with 29 points on 12 of 18 shooting, with all of those baskets coming right at the rim. Gordon also grabbed 15 rebounds, five of those on the offensive glass where his combination of strength, quickness, and athleticism proved too dynamic for the Lakers to handle on the backboards.

As for Porter Jr., he scored 20 points on eight of 16 shooting, but his shot making and the timeliness of his shots made those points feel more damaging than the actual number implies. On several occasions Porter Jr. hit off the dribble jumpers that were very well contested, the type of dispiriting shots that are compounded because they often came in the midst of the type of run the Nuggets were on to take the lead and then keep the Lakers at arm's length.

Porter Jr. also added 10 rebounds, one of three Nuggets to grab double-digit rebounds with Gordon and Jokic (15), and contributing to another night in which Denver asserted themselves on the glass and made the Lakers pay for either being too small on the backline in their boxouts or not physical enough when they did have more size there. The Nuggets outrebounded the Lakers 55-45 overall, including grabbing 14 offensive rebounds that they converted into 19 points overall.

Beyond the rebounding, the ultimate difference in this game, however, was that Denver got standout performances from their secondary players while the Lakers simply did not get that same level of production from the equivalent talents on their team.

Austin Reaves did finish the night with 22 points on eight of 17 shooting, but several of those baskets and points came in the game's final minutes when Denver was up double figures. Credit to him for continuing to push and make the shots he did on those possessions, though, and the hope is that his final push can carry over into Game 4. The same could not be said for his backcourt mate, however. After struggling in Game 1 and then a bounce-back performance in Game 2, D'Angelo Russell missed all seven of his shot attempts in Game 3 and went scoreless overall in his 24 minutes of game action.

Overall, then, the Lakers just did not have enough this game. With Jokic and Murray still having very good games of their own and them winning on the margins in the ways they did with their rebounding and secondary scoring, the Lakers could not sustain their early game play to fend off Denver when they really pushed.

And with that, the Lakers are now down 3-0 and looking for answers. They will try to find them and be ready to extend the series when these teams meet again in Game 4 on Saturday.

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Lakers Struggles vs. Nuggets Continue in Game 3 Loss

With the game tied and the Lakers needing one final stop to force overtime, a Jamal Murray step-back jumper over the outstretched arm of Anthony Davis went through the net and the Lakers fell at the buzzer 101-99 in a heartbreaker of a game. The loss is the Lakers 10th consecutive against this team and drops them to 0-2 in the series.

Up by as many 20 points in the 3rd quarter, there is a version of this game in which it never comes down to Murray's shot at the buzzer and the Lakers head back to Los Angeles with the split they sought, but it was not meant to be.

Despite controlling the game for the better part of three quarters, it was Denver's shot making and a critical defensive adjustment they made halfway through the 3rd quarter that sparked their run and allowed them to climb back into it.

After playing a strong first half in which they successfully held the Nuggets at bay and led by 15 at intermission, the Lakers came out of halftime not only with a determination to grow their lead, but a tactical problem that the Nuggets simply were not able immediately get their arms around. The Lakers pummeled Denver with LeBron and Anthony Davis pick-and-rolls, getting the Lakers two three-point plays from AD and an Austin Reaves triple that put the Lakers up 68-48 with 10 minutes left in the 3rd.

From that point on, however, Denver outscored the Lakers 53-31 by adjusting on defense to help successfully stall out the Lakers offense and then leverage the Lakers missed shots to get momentum going offensively themselves and find their own rhythm. By the end of the 3rd quarter the Nuggets had cut the Lakers largest lead in half, and then in the 4th quarter they continued to push.

The Lakers, to their credit, found ways to scrape together enough offense of their own to continue to fight back and force the Nuggets into making more plays if they were to execute their comeback in full. But, like the championship team they are, Denver rose to the challenge and made every play they needed to in order to claim in the win.

The very nature of a game like this will overshadow all the work the Lakers did to control the game to the point they did, but the team did get some excellent performances from several players.

Anthony Davis was brilliant for the 2nd straight game, scoring 32 points to go along with 11 rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal. At one point AD connected on 14 consecutive shots, finishing the game 14 of 19 overall while doing an excellent job on Nikola Jokic defensively -- particularly in the 1st half. Davis flashed great touch with his jumper and then was great scoring out of post and when diving to the rim out of the pick-and-roll.

Serving as a balance to AD's play inside was D'Angelo Russell who had an excellent bounce-back game and really came out of the gate ready take and make his jumper. Russell opened the game making his first five triples and finished the night seven of 11 from deep en route to 23 points to go along with six assists and three rebounds. Russell's shooting was the difference maker for the Lakers early, stabilizing their offense and allowing them to claim the lead and ultimately hold onto it for as long as they did.

Also critical was LeBron, who scored 26 points, dished out 12 assists, and grabbed eight rebounds. LeBron also exerted a great amount of energy defensively, not just in locking horns with Gordon on the glass and around the paint, but when he got switched onto Jokic by fronting the post and really working to try to disrupt Denver's big man. Down the stretch, LeBron fought off fatigue to hit several critical baskets, including two of his three made three-pointers and a step-through jumper for a three-point play.

Alas, it was not enough. Denver's shot making proved too good, and their defensive adjustment of moving Kentavious Caldwell-Pope onto LeBron and Gordon onto AD changed the attack points of the Lakers offense and disrupted them just enough to allow Denver to gain a foothold, which they ultimately spun into the type of run that got the crowd into the game and gave them that extra shot in the arm that led to them getting this victory.

They also got great production from their starting lineup, with Jokic's 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists leading the way and a really strong shooting night from Michael Porter Jr. (22 points, six made threes) serving as a great complement to Jokic's interior play.

The Lakers will now head back to Los Angeles with a clear understanding of how they can attack the Nuggets, while also needing some answers of their own for some of the adjustments Denver threw at them. They will get their chance to bounce back and try to get their first win in the series when these teams play Game 3 on Thursday.

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Nuggets Buzzer-Beater Hands Lakers Heartbreaking Loss

After a competitive first half in which both teams had runs that showed what they were capable of, it was the Nuggets big 3rd quarter that broke the game open and sunk the Lakers in a 114 to 103 loss in Game 1 Saturday night. The game is the team's 9th straight defeat to Denver and drops them to 0-1 in in the series.

The Lakers did many things right in this game, but playing against an opponent that will not beat themselves and seems to pounce on every sliver of an opening offered from your mistakes, the Lakers did not play a clean enough game to come out victorious in this one. The Lakers surrendered 15 offensive rebounds and committed 12 turnovers (including seven from LeBron James) to just four from the Nuggets.

These numbers, along with the Lakers shooting more free throws than Denver, led to the Nuggets attempting 23 more field goals on the evening, a staggering difference that, despite the Nuggets' offense not being in top form, gave them too many bites at the apple to gain an edge.

And that's exactly what the Nuggets did, turning those offensive rebounds into 18 second chance points and those 12 turnovers into 14 points. In a game the Lakers hung tight and had chances to climb back into the game in the 2nd half, it was these possession gaining wins and the points that came from then that were a major difference.

On the positive front, the Lakers got a standout performance from Anthony Davis. Battling Nikola Jokic bucket for bucket and having some strong defensive possessions against the Serbian big man as well, Davis scored 32 points, grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds, dished out five assists, and blocked four shots on the evening.

AD hit 12 of his 23 shot attempts from the field, mixing in mid-range jumpers with powerful post ups while also working in some quick drives to finish in and around the paint. Davis was wonderful and his bucket getting was instrumental in giving the Lakers a lifeline offensively in the half court as team struggled to find a rhythm shooting from the outside.

Joining AD with a strong scoring night was LeBron who poured in 27 points on 10 of 16 shooting to go along with eight assists (countered by the aforementioned seven turnovers). LeBron came out of the gates firing away, hitting all three of his triples in the first half -- including a buzzer beater heading into intermission that gave the Lakers a three-point lead.

LeBron was great in pointedly attacking his matchups, especially ratcheting up his drives and assaults on the paint when Aaron Gordon had to depart the game with early foul trouble. With Gordon out and Jokic concerned with staying attached to AD, LeBron was able to find some lanes to the rim in both the halfcourt and in transition to score and get the team going.

Despite LeBron and AD going well, the Nuggets were able to withstand the Lakers early push and then methodically get back into the game due to the strong games from their own stars.

Both Jokic and Jamal Murray had excellent games and in doing so helped get their teammates going as well. Jokic was masterful in scoring in and around the paint, pouring in 32 points while grabbing 12 rebounds (three offensive) and dishing seven assists. Murray, meanwhile, scored 22 points and dished out 10 assists. And while Murray did not shoot the ball well overall (nine of 24 overall), he did connect on four of his nine attempts from behind the arc, which contributed to Denver connecting on seven more threes overall.

And while the Nuggets shot just 35.7% from behind the arc overall, their superior shot making was one of the big differences in the outcome of this game. The Lakers connected on just eight of their 29 attempts from deep, with D'Angelo Russell (one of nine) and Austin Reaves (two of six) never really finding their groove from deep. Russell was also challenged inside the arc, hitting five of 11 two-pointers, leading to a six of 20 shooting overall.

Ultimately, then, the Lakers can see some of the clear ways they can try to clean up their performance and see the areas in which they can improve both from a team perspective and when the individual players look in the mirror. And they will try to bring that improved performance when the series resumes with Game 2 on Monday.

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Sluggish 3rd Quarter Sinks Lakers in Game 1 Loss

In a game where neither of their superstars shot the ball well from the field, they got outrebounded 50-41, and outscored in the paint 62-36, the Lakers were able to fend off the Pelicans 110-106 through a combination of ball security, timely defense, getting key rebounds, and sinking clutch free throws. The victory punches the team's ticket to the postseason as the 7th seed and a date with the defending champion Denver Nuggets. What a night.

After beating this team just two days prior to force this play-in game in the first place, the Lakers knew they were going to get the Pelicans' best shot and a level of effort befitting a contest of these stakes. And New Orleans lived up those expectations, extending their ball pressure defensively, working hard to take away the paint by crowding the lane, and attacking the paint relentlessly themselves on the other end to get the Lakers back on their heels.

The Lakers were able to absorb that first hit from the Pelicans, however, and recover to find their own game to pull the tug-o-war rope back in their direction. With New Orleans selling out to protect the paint, D'Angelo Russell took center stage for the Lakers offense with sublime shot making from the perimeter. Russell paced the Lakers with 13 of his 21 points in the first quarter, knocking down three triples in the period to keep his team within striking distance and trailing by just eight points heading into the 2nd period.

It was in that quarter, however, where the game started to shift and the Lakers really were able to seize control. After giving up the first basket of the quarter to fall behind by 10, the Lakers proceeded to go on a 12-0 run to take a two-point lead and reset the tenor of the game. The Lakers would go on to win that period 34-16 to turn their once double-digit deficit into a 10-point halftime lead.

LeBron James was great in that quarter and, despite some shooting struggles from the field, was fantastic overall in how he controlled the flow of the game. LeBron scored 12 of his team-high 23 points in that 2nd quarter, racing out for transition baskets and using his physicality to get to the foul line for free throws. And while Bron was just six of 20 from the field on the night, he was 10-10 from the line and often sought out contact via hard drives and pump fakes to earn those free throws and get his team easy points.

In the 3rd quarter the starting group came out ready to build on their momentum from that 2nd period and put the game away, at one point going up by as many as 18 as they were proving too much for the Pelicans to handle on both sides of the floor. But, credit to the Pelicans who rallied back to close the period and then set themselves up for one final push in the 4th quarter to climb back in and steal this game back.

And push they did, with Zion Williamson leading the way. After a disappointing offensive performance on Sunday, Zion bounced back with a vengeance in this game, scoring 40 points on 17-27 shooting from the field on a barrage of paint attacks that few players in the league can match. Bowling his way into the teeth of the defense over and over again, Zion scored in every way imaginable, be it through and over a defender or contorting his body to flip up a shot around them.

With Zion leading the way in the paint and Trey Murphy and Jose Alvarado hitting timely shots from the outside, the Pelicans came all the way back to tie the game with just under four minutes to play. Unfortunately for the Pelicans, however, is shortly after hitting a floater to tie up the game at 95 with 3:19 left in the game, Zion signaled to the bench that he was hurt and needed to come out of the game. Zion then retreated to the Pelicans locker room and did not return.

Despite his absence, however, the Pelicans continued to battle, matching the Lakers bucket for bucket and keeping things close enough to still complete their comeback and get the win. It was not to be, however.

Without the momentum of the game up for grabs, it was the Lakers who again grabbed the reins, this time never to let go, and it was Anthony Davis who led the way. After struggling from the field and never really finding a rhythm the entire night, Davis scored eight of his 20 points in the final 3:29 of the period with two big baskets inside and four clutch three throws.

AD's putbacks were part of four huge offensive rebounds he grabbed in the period, with one of those coming on one of the most critical possessions of the game. Up by just two points and with the ball, LeBron missed a fadeaway up against the shot clock that could have led to the Pelicans getting the ball with a chance to tie the game. Instead, though, while being boxed out, AD reached out his long arm to inhale a rebound he had no business grabbing, drawing a foul in the process, and then sank both free throws to put the Lakers back up by four points with just 15 seconds remaining.

Davis finished the night with 20 points, 15 rebounds (six offensive), three blocks, and a steal on a night in which he was not at his best physically and never could find his rhythm as a scorer.

And with AD doing his best to control the interior, it was D'Angelo Russell who helped ice things from the perimeter to complement his big man who would close things out at the line. Similar to AD's huge rebound, Russell hit a difference-making jumper when he buried a three with just under a minute left in the game to push the Lakers lead from a single point up to four, giving them just enough breathing room to keep New Orleans at bay.

This is the type of hard-fought win that not only reinforces all the hard work put in to close the season on the run they did, but was the type of total team effort that the group can build on heading into the playoffs. The team will return to action on Saturday when they will play the Nuggets for game-one of their first round series.

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Lakers at Pelicans Game Highlights 04-16-24

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Lakers Survive Pelicans Comeback, Claim 7th Seed and Playoff Berth

The Lakers came into their final regular season game with a single goal: win and be the 8th seed (and get two chances to win one play-in game to advance to the playoffs). With that as the driver, the team came out with great focus and energy that allowed them to take an early lead -- one they would never surrender -- and ultimately beat the Pelicans 124-108. With this victory and the Suns beating the Wolves, the Lakers will now stay in New Orleans to face them again on Tuesday in the 7/8 play-in game with the winner advancing to face the 2nd seeded Nuggets in the 1st round.

This was a great team win in which all of the main rotation players came locked in and ready to play, but leading the way in this regard were the team's star duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

LeBron tallied a triple-double with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 17 assists while knocking down 11 of 20 from the field and all six of his free throws. LeBron put on a masterclass of game management and offensive control, capitalizing on every sliver and crack the defense offered to hit teammates for makable shots and then seeking out his own offense when the opportunities presented themselves.

Of LeBron's 17 dimes, eight came in the 1st quarter and 13 in the first half -- the latter a career-high number for any half in a 21-year career that has some of the most eye-popping numbers imaginable.

As a scorer LeBron was nearly as deadly as he was a passer, taking advantage of New Orleans' lack of rim protection and several open court opportunities to score repeatedly in the paint. All but one of LeBron's makes came right in the restricted area and his relentless attacking as a driver and out of deep post ups combined with the pressure his passing put on the rim, it was just a fantastic game from him on that side of the ball.

On the defensive end, however, LeBron was just as locked in and extremely impactful as well. Taking on the task of defending Zion Williamson, LeBron used a combination of his physical tools and defensive acumen to limit Zion and limit his ability to get into the paint where he is so dangerous. LeBron helped hold Zion to just four of 13 from the field for 12 points to go along with four turnovers. Some of those TO's were directly related to LeBron's efforts, as he snagged five steals and was great at getting strips on the ball and stepping into passing lanes for deflections off the ball.

As for AD, he led the team with 30 points and 11 rebounds while adding three assists and two steals for a double-double of his own. AD was monstrous from an efficiency standpoint, connecting on 13 of his 17 shots from the floor while also making all four of his free throw attempts while causing a multitude of problems for both his individual defender and for the Pelicans' defense as a group.

With either a speed and quickness advantage vs. Jonan Valanciunas, a size and strength advantage against Larry Nance Jr. and some of the Pelicans' smaller lineups, or enough mobility and dexterity to find the creases when the Pelicans played zone, AD was able to get to and finish in and around the paint over and over again, either diving out of the pick-and-roll, working off the dribble himself, or getting to the offensive glass for put-backs.

The only rough part of AD's day was needing to leave the game with a little over five minutes when his back locked up on him after a put-back attempt on the offensive glass, but post game Darvin Ham said he was extremely optimistic about his star big man moving into Tuesday, while AD added he expected to play and would get treatment to see how he responds over the next day or two.

Outside of LeBron and AD, the Lakers got double-digit scoring nights an efficient shooting from their other three starters with Rui Hachimura (11 points, five of 10 shooting), D'Angelo Russell (19 points, five of 10 on three-pointers), and Austin Reaves (20 points eight of 12 from the field) all coming ready to contribute on that end of the floor. And then defensively, all three were also steady contributors with each of them not only working well in their individual matchups, but playing with great activity within the team's defensive schemes.

Off the bench the Lakers got good minutes from all four of their main reserves. Offensively, Taurean Prince (9 points) and Spencer Dinwiddie (7 points) combined for 16 points while the combination of Jaxson Hayes and Gabe Vincent were great sparks defensively, especially in the 2nd quarter when the Lakers really seized control of the game, stretching their six-point 1st quarter lead to 17 at intermission.

It was that 40-point 2nd quarter and a similar 13-4 run by the starters coming out of halftime that really put this game away. The team simply proved ready for the challenge this game offered and really put together the type of mentally sharp and physically strong performance that they needed to get the win. And while the Pelicans did scrap back from being down 32 to cut their deficit to 17, the Lakers were able to grab back control of the game ensure that they would come out on top.

The Lakers will now try to bottle what they did well in this game, improve on the areas in which they see the need for improvement, and try to replicate this win when these teams face off again on Tuesday in the play-in.

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Lakers at Pelicans Game Highlights 04-14-24

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Lakers Control Game, Beat Pelicans to Claim 8th Seed

Taylor Geas

In their last regular season home game, where every contest counts, the Lakers dropped an important one to the Warriors, 134-120.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“They had guys step up and make shots. It’s a make or miss league. It is what it is. It’s a tough loss for sure,” Head Coach Darvin Ham said in his postgame press conference.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Los Angeles is at a point in their season where every game they play has implications on their standing and what they could face in their pursuit of a playoff push.&nbsp; A win tonight would’ve moved the Purple and Gold into eighth place, but this loss keeps them in ninth place for now. With two remaining games, there are a lot of unknowns as the Lakers head toward the postseason.&nbsp;&nbsp;

And before the game started, uncertainty lingered, LeBron James and Anthony Davis were questionable to play. About an hour and forty-five minutes before tip, Davis scratched due to a headache and nausea, Jaxson Hayes started in place of AD, he brought 11 points, six rebounds, a block, a steal, and an assist.&nbsp;&nbsp;

About 45 minutes before the game, James was upgraded to available despite flu-like symptoms. But LeBron didn’t play like a man who was suffering from an illness, he produced 33 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds to try and wield his team to victory. But ultimately, the Lakers struggled to control Golden State’s impressive 26-of-41 outside shooting from the jump.  

There were moments throughout the game when the Lakers were within striking distance. Rui Hachimura charged his team with 20 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks, and one assist. Austin Reaves kept everybody steady with 22 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. And D’Angelo Russell presented surges of energy with 14 points and seven assists. But LA was never able to breakthrough. 

As LeBron laid out, “it’s impossible to make up for what AD provides offensively and defensively.”&nbsp;

Steph Curry was perfect from three on the night. His six-made threes were more than half of his 23 total points. Klay Thompson made 5-of-10 from outside on his way to 27 points.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the first quarter alone, the Warriors shot 77.8% from three, giving them a nine-point lead heading into the second. They never cooled down. They never gave up the lead. In fact,by halftime, Draymond Green shot perfectly from the field on his way to 15 points. It was the first time since May 4, 2017, that Green hit five threes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“They exploited our game plan,” James said afterward, “and so you tip your hat to them.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Lakers head to Memphis next to face the Grizzlies on Friday and to New Orleans on Sunday. Their schedule after that is unclear.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It is what it is,” LeBron said of the teams standing in the West. “We know we’re as good as any team in the league when we’re whole.” They may have the chance to prove that.   