LeBron James Leads with 30 Points as Lakers Dominate Pelicans 133-89, Advancing to Tournament Final

LeBron James delivered a stunning performance, scoring 30 points in less than three quarters, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a commanding 133-89 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. This victory propelled the Lakers into the championship game of the NBA In-Season Tournament.

The Lakers are set to clash with the Indiana Pacers in the final on Saturday night. The Pacers earned their spot by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 128-119 in their semifinal match. Notably, the championship game will be an exception in the tournament, as its results won’t be included in the regular-season standings.

James expressed his optimism about the team’s journey to the final, highlighting their defensive efforts which restricted the Pelicans to a 35.8% shooting rate. The Lakers also dominated in rebounds, with a 59-42 advantage.

“Our defensive focus is key to our success,” James said. “It’s about understanding what we need to do as a team to win consistently.”

For the Lakers, Austin Reaves scored 17 points, Anthony Davis contributed 16 points and 15 rebounds, and Taurean Prince added 15 points.

The Pelicans, led by Trey Murphy III with 14 points, Zion Williamson with 13 points, and Herbert Jones with 10, struggled against the Lakers’ intensity. Coach Willie Green acknowledged his team’s achievement in reaching the semifinals but was disappointed with their performance against the Lakers.

The Pelicans initially led 30-29 after the first quarter, but James quickly turned the game around, scoring 11 consecutive points for the Lakers, transforming a one-point deficit into a 40-33 lead. This included three successive three-pointers, energizing the crowd.

“LeBron’s dedication, especially in taking three charges, really set the tone for us,” said Reaves.

By halftime, James had already scored 21 points. He rested during the third quarter, conserving energy for the upcoming final against the Pacers, a team known for their fast-paced play.

“The Pacers are a formidable opponent,” Davis said. “They’re young and energetic, which will challenge our defense.”

The Lakers, now on a winning streak with three consecutive victories and wins in four of their last five games, are showing formidable form. Coach Darvin Ham praised the team’s focus, aggression, and unselfish play, saying, “We’re nearly unstoppable when we play like this.”

The Lakers now prepare for their championship matchup against the Pacers in Las Vegas on Saturday night, while the Pelicans will host Minnesota on Monday night.