LeBron, Doncic Power Lakers Past Pelicans for Third Consecutive Victory
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The Los Angeles Lakers opened a two-game road swing with a 111-103 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night, Jan. 6, 2026, at Smoothie King Center. The result marked L.A.’s third straight triumph to begin the new year.
Los Angeles stayed without several regulars but leaned on its stars in the closing minutes. LeBron James finished with a series of key plays in the fourth quarter, while Luka Doncic buried a pair of late three-pointers to seal the outcome.
Early Edge Slips Away
The Lakers started quickly when Deandre Ayton found James for a dunk and Marcus Smart connected from long range. Doncic, cold from deep early, shifted to attacking the paint and helped L.A. take a 29-25 lead after one.
Bench forward Jarred Vanderbilt provided energy with steals and deflections, yet turnovers allowed New Orleans to pull even. Trey Murphy III’s perimeter shooting and Zion Williamson’s drives pushed the Pelicans to a 54-51 halftime advantage.
Pelicans Surge, Lakers Respond
New Orleans stretched its margin to seven early in the third before successive threes by Doncic and Smart steadied Los Angeles. Ayton scored inside, but Murphy stayed hot, giving the Pelicans an 86-79 edge entering the fourth.
James opened the final period with two three-pointers and an assist to Vanderbilt, swinging the lead back to L.A. Ayton followed with consecutive baskets, and Doncic added two more threes—including one from well beyond the arc—to create separation. The Lakers’ defense held New Orleans in check down the stretch to secure the victory.
What’s Next
The Lakers conclude the back-to-back on Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs before returning to Crypto.com Arena to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.
Source: LakersNation.com
