Lakers Ride Six-Game Win Streak into Home Clash with Pelicans
Continuing their dominant run despite significant roster changes, the Los Angeles Lakers will carry a six-game winning streak into their home matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday.
The Lakers have won back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Clippers, despite missing starting forward Rui Hachimura and seeing limited action from starting guard Austin Reaves.
Hachimura remains sidelined with a knee injury, while Reaves played just nine minutes in the first game against the Clippers before exiting with a calf issue. Neither was available for Sunday’s 106-102 victory, where Luka Doncic led all scorers with 29 points and nine assists.
“He played fantastic tonight,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said of his trade-deadline acquisition. “There’s an energy and competitive fire in him, maybe even an inner demon—I don’t know—but when it comes out, it’s great for us.”
LeBron James added 17 points and nine assists to help secure the win.
While Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent have temporarily stepped into starting roles, rookie Dalton Knecht made a major impact Sunday. He scored 19 points, marking his highest total since Jan. 28 and his most in a win since dropping 20 on Nov. 27.
The Lakers had initially planned to trade Knecht to the Charlotte Hornets for big man Mark Williams at the deadline, but after that deal fell through, the rookie has been proving his worth by staying put.
Pelicans Find Their Stride Ahead of Lakers Matchup
After enduring a 10-game losing streak leading up to the All-Star break, the Pelicans have turned things around, winning five of their last seven games. Their latest victory came on the road Sunday, a 128-121 triumph over the Utah Jazz.
Kelly Olynyk led New Orleans with a season-high 26 points and nine rebounds, while CJ McCollum contributed 25 points. Zion Williamson added 24 points with nine assists, and Trey Murphy III chipped in 20.
Olynyk, who arrived at the trade deadline from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, has quickly become a key piece in the Pelicans’ evolving rotation.
“His IQ is extremely high to go along with his size,” Pelicans head coach Willie Green said of Olynyk. “It’s rare to find a guy who’s 6-11 or 7 feet tall that can shoot, handle the ball, post up, rebound, pass, and defend intelligently. He’s a great addition for us.”
Williamson, who has recorded 20 assists over his last two games, has essentially been a mid-season boost for the Pelicans after returning from a hamstring injury in January. New Orleans has won the last four games he has played.
“Zion has been amazing,” Green said last week, per the *New Orleans Times-Picayune*. “He gets better as the game progresses. He reads defenses and adjusts accordingly.
Since returning, Williamson has averaged 24.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists over 17 games. However, he has yet to play in back-to-back contests this season. The Pelicans’ next consecutive games come this weekend, with a road matchup in Houston on Saturday followed by a home game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.
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