The 2024-25 NBA season saw two exciting matchups between the Los Angeles Lakers, bolstered by the addition of Luka Dončić, and the New Orleans Pelicans. On March 4, 2025, the Lakers won 136-115, followed by a 124-108 victory on April 4, 2025. These games featured remarkable performances from LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Zion Williamson, with player statistics offering insights into the pivotal factors influencing each outcome. This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of player performances, game highlights, and analysis, catering to fans, fantasy players, and analysts, utilizing data from NBA.com, ESPN, and Yahoo Sports.
Game 1: March 4, 2025 – Lakers 136, Pelicans 115
Game Overview On March 4, 2025, the Lakers (39-21), ranked second in the Western Conference, hosted the Pelicans (17-44), who were languishing in 14th place, at Crypto.com Arena. LA’s potent offense, led by LeBron James and Luka Dončić, took advantage of New Orleans’ weak defense, securing a comfortable 21-point victory. Despite a strong showing from Zion Williamson, the Pelicans struggled to match the Lakers’ pace.
Read More: Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers Match Player Stats: 2024-25 Season Analysis
Key Player Stats Lakers:
Key Player Stats Lakers:
- LeBron James: 65% from the field (13–20), 50% from three-point range (3-6), 34 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists
- Luka Dončić: 30 points, 15 assists, 8 rebounds, shooting 55% from the field (11-20), 55.6% from three-point range (5-9)
- Jaxson Hayes: 8–8 from the field, 10 rebounds, and 19 points
- Dalton Knecht: 12 points, 4 rebounds, shooting 50% from the field (4-8), 40% from three-point range (2-5)
Pelicans:
Pelicans:
- Zion Williamson: 37 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, shooting 73.9% from the field (17-23), 0% from three-point range (0-1)
- Trey Murphy III: 19 points, 5 rebounds, shooting 50% from the field (7-14), 42.9% from three-point range (3-7)
- Jose Alvarado: 12 points, 3 assists, 40% from three-point range (2–5), and 50% from the field (5–10)
Key Game Moments
Key Game Moments
- First Quarter: LeBron James made history with a three-pointer, surpassing 50,000 career points (regular season and playoffs combined). Dončić’s 17 points, including three consecutive three-pointers, gave LA an early advantage.
- Second Quarter: The Lakers’ defense tightened up, holding New Orleans to just 25 points. Jaxson Hayes provided a spark with perfect shooting (4-4), including highlight-reel dunks.
- Third Quarter: Dončić’s fifth three-pointer and strong defensive plays from Jarred Vanderbilt increased the Lakers’ lead to 18 points. Zion Williamson’s 17 points kept the Pelicans in contention.
- Fourth Quarter: The Lakers’ bench, including Trey Jemison, maintained the lead, allowing the starters to rest as the Pelicans’ efforts faltered.
Player Stats Breakdown
Player Stats Breakdown
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3PT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeBron James | 34 | 7 | 5 | 65.0% | 50.0% |
| Luka Dončić | 30 | 8 | 15 | 55.0% | 55.6% |
| Jaxson Hayes | 19 | 10 | 0 | 100% | – |
| Dalton Knecht | 12 | 4 | 1 | 50.0% | 40.0% |
| Zion Williamson | 37 | 6 | 6 | 73.9% | 0.0% |
| Trey Murphy III | 19 | 5 | 2 | 50.0% | 42.9% |
| Jose Alvarado | 12 | 2 | 3 | 50.0% | 40.0% |
Game 2: April 4, 2025 – Lakers 124, Pelicans 108
Game Overview The Lakers (46-30) faced the Pelicans (21-55) again on April 4, 2025, after suffering a loss to Golden State. New Orleans, amidst a four-game road losing streak, initially took charge behind Jose Alvarado’s performance. However, the Lakers’ explosive second-quarter play, spearheaded by Dončić and James, helped them secure a 16-point victory.
Key Player Stats Lakers:
Key Player Stats Lakers:
- LeBron James: 24 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, shooting 60% from the field (9-15), 40% from three-point range (2-5)
- Luka Dončić: 22 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, shooting 44.4% from the field (8-18), 28.6% from three-point range (2-7)
- Anthony Davis: 18 points, 12 rebounds, shooting 70% from the field (7-10), 0% from three-point range (0-0)
- Dalton Knecht: 12 points, 3 rebounds, shooting 55.6% from the field (5-9), 50% from three-point range (2-4)
Pelicans:
- Jose Alvarado: 27 points, 4 assists, shooting 62.5% from the field (10-16), 50% from three-point range (3-6)
- Karlo Matković: 15 points, 6 rebounds, shooting 66.7% from the field (6-9), 0% from three-point range (0-0)
- Zion Williamson: 14 points, 5 rebounds, shooting 50% from the field (6-12), 0% from three-point range (0-0)
Key Game Moments
- First Quarter: Jose Alvarado exploded for 18 points on 7-9 shooting, helping the Pelicans take a 32-27 lead. Dončić struggled early, missing his first seven shots.
- Second Quarter: The Lakers came alive with a 35-point quarter, hitting all nine of their shots inside the arc. Dončić’s layup sparked a 10-0 run, shifting the momentum in favor of LA.
- Third Quarter: Both teams exchanged baskets, but the Lakers’ dominance in rebounding (52-41) led to additional possessions. Anthony Davis’ double-double anchored LA’s efforts in the paint.
- Fourth Quarter: Knecht’s timely three-pointers helped maintain a double-digit lead, while New Orleans’ bench failed to make a significant comeback.
Player Stats Breakdown
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3PT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeBron James | 24 | 6 | 8 | 60.0% | 40.0% |
| Luka Dončić | 22 | 5 | 7 | 44.4% | 28.6% |
| Anthony Davis | 18 | 12 | 2 | 70.0% | – |
| Dalton Knecht | 12 | 3 | 1 | 55.6% | 50.0% |
| Jose Alvarado | 27 | 2 | 4 | 62.5% | 50.0% |
| Karlo Matković | 15 | 6 | 1 | 66.7% | – |
| Zion Williamson | 14 | 5 | 2 | 50.0% | – |
Overall Analysis
Lakers’ Strengths The Lakers’ offense was outstanding, averaging 130 points per game while shooting 52.3% from the field and 36.2% from three-point range. Their rebounding prowess (52.5 per game) and solid paint protection (44 points allowed in the paint) were essential to their success. LeBron James and Luka Dončić combined for impressive totals of 110 points, 25 assists, and 26 rebounds over the two games, demonstrating their dominance.
The Battles of Pelicans New Orleans had a 7-31 away record as a result of their defensive problems and erratic offense. Their 32.1% shooting from beyond the arc was significantly lower than LA’s. Despite stellar performances from Zion Williamson, who scored 51 points across both games, the Pelicans’ depth was limited by injuries and roster changes, including the trade of Brandon Ingram. Jose Alvarado’s 39 points across both games were a highlight, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Lakers’ talent.
Key Player Contributions
- LeBron James:Averaged 29 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists, reaching 50,000 career points in Game 1. His leadership was vital to LA’s success.
- Luka Dončić: Averaged 26 points, 11 assists, and 6.5 rebounds, with a standout performance of 30 points and 15 assists in Game 1. His playmaking ability was pivotal.
- Zion Williamson: Averaged 25.5 points, though his impact was reduced in Game 2 due to foul trouble and limited playing time.
Bench Contributions The Lakers’ bench outscored the Pelicans’ reserves 82-60 across both games. Jaxson Hayes and Dalton Knecht were significant contributors, scoring 19 and 24 points respectively. On the Pelicans’ side, Karlo Matković showed promise with 15 points in Game 2, but the bench struggled with consistency.
Coaching Strategies Lakers coach JJ Redick effectively targeted New Orleans’ weak perimeter defense, encouraging a high volume of three-point attempts. On the other hand, Pelicans coach Willie Green struggled with slow defensive rotations and an ineffective zone defense in Game 1.
Statistical Insights
- Three-Point Shooting: The Lakers’ 36.2% from three outperformed the Pelicans’ 32.1%, which played a major role in their victories.
- Rebounding: LA’s 52.5 rebounds per game, led by Anthony Davis, contributed to 28 second-chance points.
- Turnovers: The Pelicans committed 14.5 turnovers per game, giving up 34 points to the Lakers off turnovers.
FAQs
- Who led scoring in the 2025 Lakers vs. Pelicans games?
Zion Williamson (37 points) and LeBron James (34 points) led the March 4 game, while Jose Alvarado (27 points) and LeBron James (24 points) led on April 4. - What were the scores of the Lakers vs. Pelicans games?
The Lakers won 136-115 on March 4, 2025, and 124-108 on April 4, 2025. - How did Luka Dončić fare against the Pelicans?
Dončić averaged 26 points, 11 assists, and 6.5 rebounds, with a dominant performance of 30 points and 15 assists in Game 1. - What caused the Pelicans’ losses to the Lakers?
Defensive struggles, a poor road record, and lack of bench depth, along with injuries and roster changes, contributed to the Pelicans’ defeats. - Where can I access full box scores for these games?
Visit NBA.com, ESPN.com, or Basketball-Reference.com for complete box scores. - How did LeBron James hit 50,000 points?
James reached 50,000 combined regular-season and playoff points with a three-pointer in the first quarter of Game 1 on March 4, 2025. - What was the Lakers’ record after these matchups?
The Lakers were 39-21 after March 4 and 46-30 after April 4.
Conclusion
The Lakers’ dominant victories over the Pelicans on March 4 and April 4, 2025, showcased their offensive firepower and star performances, with LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Anthony Davis leading the charge. Despite Zion Williamson’s impressive scoring and Jose Alvarado’s efforts, the Pelicans were unable to match the Lakers’ depth. This analysis provides valuable insights into the factors that determined the outcomes, shedding light on both team dynamics and individual performances.