LOS ANGELES — LeBron James scored 21 points in his first game since becoming the NBA’s career scoring leader, while Anthony Davis scored 28 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out five assists as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 120-102 on Wednesday night.
D’Angelo Russell scored 21 points and dished out seven assists during a warm homecoming for the Lakers, who won for just the second time in their last six games. Five new Lakers players made their home debuts following last week’s hectic trade deadline, and the Lakers never trailed in one of the season’s most remarkable performances.
Davis stated, “There was a tremendous concentration on achieving this victory.” “Guys played with a great deal of vigor and urgency…. It was only our first game as a team, but we performed well.”
James played a season-low 29 minutes after resting his ailing left ankle and foot for the previous three games immediately after breaking Kareem Abdul-record Jabbar’s on February 7.
James stated, “I feel extremely good about what we have in the works, but we need to solidify it.” “This is the first time we’ve all been on the floor together, so we wanted to see what it looks like, and the first forty minutes were promising.”
Russell’s debut was a homecoming, since he spent his first two NBA seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before being moved four times and returning last week. Russell was obviously ecstatic to return to Hollywood, as he displayed an amazing playmaking performance and constantly urged the crowd to give the Lakers standing ovations.
After making a 3-pointer in the second half, Russell yelled to the crowd, “Like I never left!” while pointing to the initials on his breast.
Russell stated, “I adore those times” “Tonight, after taking Bron, we felt a little more fluid. Everyone contributed. Everyone had a significant role in maintaining the lead, sustaining it, and obtaining stops. I appreciate what we presented tonight.”
The Lakers entered the All-Star break in 13th place in the Western Conference’s 15-team standings with a 27-32 record, but the season isn’t done and they have some promising additions.
Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Malik Beasley joined James and Davis in the Lakers’ 30th starting lineup of the season, while Mo Bamba fouled out in 16 minutes during his Lakers debut as the team’s backup center.
Beasley, who scored eight points, stated, “It was unbearably hot.” We desired to make a message by our actions.
C.J. McCollum scored 22 points and dished out nine assists in his return from a one-game absence with a right ankle sprain for the Pelicans, who suffered their second loss in six games.
Coach Willie Green stated to his team at the conclusion of the game, “We just did not play with urgency.” “We must play with more aggression and a greater sense of urgency than we did tonight. We did not make a significant effort.”
With 10:52 remaining, Josh Richardson of New Orleans was dismissed for appealing a no-call.
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