Lakers Handle Pelicans Behind Doncic and Reaves, Extend Win Streak to Seven
The Los Angeles Lakers just keep rolling. Despite resting both LeBron James and Marcus Smart on the first night of a back-to-back, the Lakers handled their business at home on Sunday night, taking down the New Orleans Pelicans 133-121 to notch their seventh straight win and move to 15-4 on the season.
And they didn’t waste any time getting to work.
Luka Doncic came out firing, hitting a pair of early threes to set the tone, while Austin Reaves attacked the rim and got to the line to help the Lakers build a quick 17-4 lead. From there, it was all gas, no brakes.
Doncic dropped 20 points in the opening quarter alone, orchestrating the offense with his usual blend of craft and control. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ supporting cast was locked in from deep-Rui Hachimura and rookie Dalton Knecht both knocked down early triples to help L.A. surge ahead 46-27 after one.
With Doncic catching a breather to start the second, Reaves stepped into the lead role and didn’t miss a beat. He poured in eight quick points and kept the Pelicans on their heels by constantly attacking the paint. Jaxson Hayes joined the party with a couple of strong finishes, converting three-point plays that kept the pressure on New Orleans.
The Pelicans, to their credit, didn’t fold. After trailing by as many as 26, they found some rhythm late in the second quarter and made a push to close the gap. But just when it looked like they might claw their way back into it, Reaves beat the buzzer with a smooth finish, sending the Lakers into the half up 77-57.
Things got a little tense in the third. The Lakers came out flat, and the Pelicans took advantage, trimming the lead to 14.
Then came a heated moment-Doncic took a hard foul from New Orleans rookie Jeremiah Fears, and the two exchanged some choice words that earned them both technicals. That seemed to light a fire under Doncic, who responded with six straight points to push the lead back to 16.
By the end of the third, L.A. had reestablished control, leading 108-92.
With Doncic getting a breather in the fourth, Reaves and Deandre Ayton took over. Ayton, who had quietly been putting together one of his most efficient games of the season, continued to dominate inside, while Gabe Vincent stepped in and buried a three that pushed the lead back to 21-effectively ending any hopes of a Pelicans comeback.
Reaves kept his foot on the gas to close things out, finishing strong even as Ayton exited late after bumping knees with a Pelicans defender. With the game well in hand, the Lakers played it safe and kept the big man out for the final minutes.
Up Next: Suns on Deck
The Lakers won’t have much time to rest. They’re back at it Monday night, wrapping up the back-to-back with a home matchup against the Phoenix Suns. With momentum on their side and depth stepping up in a big way, L.A. is showing they’re more than just their stars-they’re a team built to win in a variety of ways.