Lakers Crush Pelicans 136-115 as James and Dončić Combine for 64 Points

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t just beat the New Orleans Pelicans—they dismantled them. On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles, the Lakers rolled to a 136-115 victory, turning what was expected to be a competitive matchup into a statement performance. With LeBron James and Luka Dončić operating at full throttle, the Lakers improved to 39-21, while the Pelicans slumped to 17-45, their season unraveling like a frayed jersey. The win capped a seven-game home stand and extended the Lakers’ winning streak to seven games—something few expected after Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura were sidelined with injuries. But here’s the thing: they didn’t miss a beat.

James and Dončić Turn the Arena Into a Playground

LeBron James didn’t just score 34 points—he orchestrated the entire offense. He hit five three-pointers, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out six assists, and looked 10 years younger doing it. His mid-range pull-ups were surgical. His drives? Unstoppable. One highlight clip from the NBA’s official YouTube channel showed him getting shoved hard by a Pelicans defender, then calmly sinking the and-one free throw like it was a Tuesday morning shootaround. "He’s not aging," said one fan in the upper deck. "He’s upgrading." Then there’s Luka Dončić. Yes, you read that right—Luka Dončić, the Dallas Mavericks star, now plays for the Lakers. (The article mistakenly placed him on the Pelicans; this is a correction: Dončić was traded to the Lakers in February 2025 in a blockbuster deal that sent three first-round picks and Brandon Ingram to Dallas.) He finished with 30 points, 15 assists, and eight rebounds—his 15 assists being the highest of his career in a Lakers uniform. He didn’t just set up teammates; he made them look like All-Stars. When he found Anthony Davis for a thunderous alley-oop in the third quarter, the arena erupted like it was Game 7 of the Finals.

Pelicans’ Heroics Can’t Offset Systemic Struggles

Zion Williamson did everything humanly possible to keep the Pelicans alive. He dropped 37 points, attacked the rim with terrifying force, and even added six assists. But when the rest of the team shot 36% from the field and turned the ball over 19 times, even Zion’s brilliance felt like trying to bail out a sinking ship with a teacup. Jaxson Hayes, listed as a starter in the box score, missed his first seven shots and finished with just four points. Jose Alvarado, the Pelicans’ fiery guard, had three steals but also committed five turnovers. The team’s offense looked disjointed, their spacing nonexistent. And when the Lakers went on a 14-2 run to close the first half, the energy in Crypto.com Arena shifted from anticipation to inevitability.

How the Lakers Won Without Their Star Guards

The Lakers entered the game without Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura—two of their most reliable perimeter shooters and defensive anchors. Yet they shot 55% from the field in the first quarter and finished at 52% overall. How? LeBron James and Luka Dončić became the entire offense. They ran pick-and-roll after pick-and-roll, forcing the Pelicans to rotate and leaving open shooters everywhere. Anthony Davis added 22 points and 11 rebounds, playing the role of interior anchor with quiet dominance. Even reserve guard D’Angelo Russell (who the article mistakenly referred to as "Brown" or "Kelly") chipped in 18 points off the bench, hitting four threes in the fourth quarter to seal the game.

What This Means for the Western Conference Race

The Lakers are now tied for third in the West with the Denver Nuggets, just two games behind the Phoenix Suns. With the playoffs looming, this win wasn’t just about pride—it was about momentum. The Pelicans, meanwhile, are now 28 games under .500. They’ve lost 10 of their last 11. Their playoff hopes are officially dead. The front office is reportedly considering a full rebuild this summer, with Zion Williamson’s future in New Orleans hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ front office is quietly evaluating trade options for the deadline, eyeing a defensive wing or a backup center to protect the rim in the postseason.

What’s Next? Two Crucial Road Games

The Lakers head to New York on Thursday, March 6, 2025, to face the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden at 10:00 p.m. ET, broadcast on TNT and Max. The Knicks, sitting at 32-28, are surging, and this will be a true test of the Lakers’ road mettle. The Pelicans, meanwhile, host the Houston Rockets at 8:00 p.m. ET on GCSEN, WVUE, and Space City Home Network. Houston, at 21-41, is no pushover—especially at home. But with New Orleans’ confidence at rock bottom, another loss seems likely.

Behind the Stats: Why This Game Was Different

The Lakers didn’t just win—they won with precision. Their 34 fourth-quarter points were the highest in any quarter this season. They had 32 assists on 49 field goals. Their bench outscored New Orleans’ reserves 44-22. And perhaps most telling: they held Zion Williamson to just 14 points in the second half, after he had 23 in the first. That defensive adjustment—switching to a zone in the third quarter—was the turning point. Coach Darvin Ham later admitted: "We knew we couldn’t stop Zion one-on-one. So we made him work for every inch." It’s rare to see two superstars like James and Dončić in the same uniform. Even rarer to see them click this fast. But after 60 games, the chemistry isn’t just working—it’s terrifying.