During the Saturday night NBA slate, LeBron James scored 27 points for the Los Angeles Lakers in a 131-126 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, putting him 36 away from breaking the NBA career scoring record.
“I just want to win,” James said. “You know, you play the game the right way and see what happens.”
The Pelicans were led by Brandon Ingram, who had his most impressive game since returning 10 days earlier from a nearly two-month injury absence, scoring 35 points while showing off his whole scoring arsenal, whether with his pull-up jumper, finishing, or drawing fouls.
In the final 3:14 of the game, CJ McCollum had 23 points, including a late three that helped the Pelicans close out the game on a 9-5 run that kept the Lakers in check.
“We just continued to attack across the board,” said Pelicans coach Willie Green, whose team won for just the fourth time in 19 games. “Every guy on our team that touched the floor came in and played with force and played with confidence. That is what is going to take for us to get over the hump.”
NBA SCORES & NEWS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Brandon Ingram & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
The Lakers’ Anthony Davis had 34 points and 14 rebounds. In the third quarter, the score was 84-72 after James’ scoop finish. After a deflected inbound pass, Jose Alvarado caught a transition floater and hit a 3-pointer to close out the period for the Pelicans.
With Trey Murphy hitting back-to-back 3, the second being from well off the 3-point line, New Orleans surged in front, cutting the Lakers’ lead to 106-103. Following that, Los Angeles was unable to retake the lead because of the Pelicans’ defense.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Brandon Ingram & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
A total of 21 points were scored by Murphy and 18 by Alvarado. Despite having 18 points and 14 rebounds for New Orleans, Jonas Valanciunas left with a right knee injury late in the third quarter.
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