When the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans go head-to-head, the real story often lies beyond the scoreboard. What truly defines the game is how each player performs possession by possession, and how those small moments shape the bigger outcome. In this breakdown, we take a closer look at the “Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans stats,” exploring which players had the most significant impact, which trends stood out, and what these numbers say about both teams’ direction. By focusing on the meaningful details rather than filler, we get a clearer picture of how the Lakers pulled ahead, how the Pelicans tried to answer, and what their performances reveal about each roster’s strengths and shortcomings moving forward.
Game Overview
In their latest meeting, the Lakers took control early and never really let go, walking away with a 118-104 win on the Pelicans’ home floor. Los Angeles came out sharp, pushing the pace and locking down defensively, while New Orleans struggled to find any real rhythm. By the time the first half wrapped up, the Lakers had already built a solid double-digit lead, powered by a hot shooting stretch that saw them hit more than 57% of their attempts. That early efficiency set the tone for the rest of the night, making it clear which team was dictating the game’s flow.
For New Orleans, playing without several key players made the night even tougher, and it showed in their uneven defense and streaky offense. They managed a few pushes to cut into the deficit, but every time they gained a little momentum, the Lakers’ starters answered and steadied the game. The final 14-point difference doesn’t fully capture how the flow shifted throughout the night — the real story is in the individual performances that quietly influenced each quarter and ultimately shaped the outcome.
Los Angeles Lakers: Player Stats & Performance
Star Players
The Lakers leaned heavily on three major performers, and Luka Dončić was at the center of it all. He put up 24 points, handed out 12 assists, and pulled in seven rebounds, all while keeping the offense flowing smoothly. His ability to read the floor, set up teammates, and decide when to take control made the game easier for everyone around him. His strong plus-minus wasn’t just a number — it reflected how much better the Lakers looked whenever he was on the floor.
Austin Reaves delivered one of his sharpest performances, pouring in 31 points and adding seven assists. He stepped up exactly when the Lakers needed him most, especially during the Pelicans’ attempts to chip away at the lead. His shot selection, confidence, and quick decision-making gave the Lakers’ offense a noticeable lift and helped them maintain control whenever the momentum threatened to shift.
DeAndre Ayton turned in a powerful performance, finishing with 20 points and 16 rebounds while barely missing a shot. He controlled the paint from start to finish, forcing the Pelicans to adjust defensively and still finding ways to dominate. His presence on the glass was significant, cutting off New Orleans’ second-chance opportunities and giving the Lakers a steady anchor in the middle throughout the game.
Role Players & Bench Production
The Lakers’ supporting cast chipped in, but their performance also highlighted a potential weakness moving forward. Rui Hachimura brought 14 points along with his usual energy and physical presence, and Marcus Smart contributed across the board with 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Even so, Smart couldn’t find his rhythm from long range, and the bench as a whole posted a negative plus-minus — a reminder that the team still leans heavily on its starters to carry most of the load.
This exposes a genuine concern for the Lakers: they depend heavily on their starting unit. If foul trouble or extended rest forces the starters off the floor in tighter games, the lack of reliable depth could become a problem. In this matchup, though, the starters were strong enough to mask those shortcomings, keeping the Lakers firmly in control despite the uneven bench performance.
New Orleans Pelicans: Player Stats & Performance
Leading Contributors
Trey Murphy III carried much of the scoring load for the Pelicans, putting up an impressive 35 points and giving his team bursts of energy whenever they needed a lift. Rookie Jeremiah Fears followed with 19 points, showing not only talent but a level of confidence beyond his experience. Herbert Jones added 13 points of his own, bringing his usual defensive intensity and creating opportunities in transition to keep the Pelicans competitive for stretches.
Even with those strong individual performances, the Pelicans couldn’t match the Lakers’ balanced attack. Playing without key players such as Zion Williamson, Jordan Poole, and Dejounte Murray left them thin on options, and the reduced rotation meant the remaining players had to shoulder far more responsibility than usual.
Supporting Cast & Team Stats
The Pelicans’ supporting group never quite found a steady rhythm. Breakdowns on defense and uneven outside shooting kept them from closing the gap, no matter how hard they pushed. Their work on the boards was hit-and-miss, too, and with Ayton controlling the paint so thoroughly, New Orleans struggled to generate the extra possessions they needed to stay in the fight.
Turnovers and long stretches of slow, predictable ball movement also hurt the Pelicans. Without their primary playmakers on the floor, the offense relied heavily on isolated scoring rather than the smooth, connected sets they rely on when fully healthy.
Head‑to‑Head Statistical Comparison
Shooting & Efficiency
One of the clearest separators in the matchup was the Lakers’ shot-making. They came out firing, hitting a high percentage in the first half and setting the tone right away. The Pelicans, meanwhile, never found that same level of consistency, with their shooting fluctuating throughout the night.
Rebounds & Second‑Chance Points
Rebounding clearly swung in the Lakers’ favor. Ayton’s 16 boards gave them steady control around the rim, making it challenging for the Pelicans to create second-chance opportunities. Without those extra possessions, New Orleans had a harder time cutting into the Lakers’ lead.
Turnovers & Defensive Stops
The Lakers made timely defensive stops and turned Pelicans turnovers into easy scoring chances. New Orleans had trouble keeping the ball moving under that pressure, often losing their offensive flow. Meanwhile, the Lakers controlled the tempo throughout the night, refusing to let the Pelicans gain any real momentum.
Bench vs Starters
The gap between the Lakers’ starters and their bench was noticeable, yet their top-heavy production easily outpaced the Pelicans’ depth. New Orleans didn’t get much scoring or steady play from their reserves, and that lack of support only widened the margin as the game went on.
Key Matchups That Shaped the Game
The battle inside between Ayton and the Pelicans’ frontcourt played a significant role in swinging the game toward the Lakers. Ayton owned the glass and dictated the action in the paint, leaving New Orleans little room to operate or finish plays near the rim.
Reaves’ matchup with the Pelicans’ perimeter defenders ended up being just as important. His ability to hit tough shots and create opportunities for others kept New Orleans on its heels all night. On the other side, the Pelicans’ supporting wings couldn’t deliver enough consistency to keep up with the pressure the Lakers were applying on the perimeter.
In the end, the Lakers came out on top in the areas that mattered most — they were more efficient, more dominant on the boards, and far more composed in their decision-making throughout the game.
Tactical Factors
From a strategic standpoint, the Lakers mixed intelligent tempo control with clean spacing and strong interior play. They consistently hunted favorable matchups, created quality looks, and spread the scoring load across several reliable options, making their offense difficult for the Pelicans to contain.
On defense, the Lakers stayed disciplined, applying steady pressure that disrupted the Pelicans’ flow. Their rotations were sharp, closing gaps quickly and taking away simple driving lanes or easy cuts to the basket.
With several key players out, the Pelicans were forced to rely more on outside shots and one-on-one play. The lack of continuity made it tough for them to run more detailed offensive sets or adjust on the fly to what the Lakers were doing. And without a strong interior presence, they ended up settling for jumpers far more often than they would have preferred.
Final Takeaways
The “Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans match player stats” paint a clear picture of where each team stands. The Lakers functioned like a well-synced, star-led group, combining efficient scoring with strong rebounding and steady execution on both ends. Their leading trio set the tone early and often, while their defensive approach kept the Pelicans from finding many reliable answers.
For the Pelicans, standout performances from their top players couldn’t fully cover the gaps in depth, defensive stability, and overall roster health. Their leading scorers showed up, but without a full lineup, keeping up with the Lakers’ pace became an uphill battle.
All things considered, the Lakers proved once again how dangerous they can be when their experience, star talent, and inside presence all click at the same time. The Pelicans battled hard and showed glimpses of what they’re capable of, but the uneven roster and lack of balance made it tough to close the gap. Both teams walk away with takeaways for the future, yet the stats make one thing clear: on this night, the Lakers were the more polished, efficient, and complete team.
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