Lakers optimistic about ascent as Pelicans pay visit

After getting off to a flying start in their extended run of home games, the Los Angeles Lakers will be out to build some momentum when the New Orleans Pelicans visit on Tuesday.

Luka Doncic and LeBron James were there for the Lakers yet again on Sunday in a commanding 128-104 victory over the Sacramento Kings. The contest kicked off a stretch in which Los Angeles plays seven of eight games in its own arena.

The Lakers won at Golden State on Saturday to end a three-game losing streak and then came home to win the next day. They also have a road/home back-to-back that starts Thursday in Denver.

Doncic scored 28 points and dished nine assists vs. Sacramento while James added 24 points and showed a playful energy throughout. James' performance was highlighted with an alley-oop dunk off an Austin Reaves pass in the first half and a fastbreak jam with just under 10 minutes remaining that put the Lakers up by 24 points.

After Los Angeles experienced a third-quarter lull that allowed the Kings to pull within 10 points, the Lakers rediscovered their form and went into the fourth with a 20-point lead after a last-second James 3-pointer.

"(Doncic) had a stretch there in the third quarter, we really struggled, we were struggling to get cohesive offense, a lot of holding the basketball," Lakers coach JJ Redick said. "I called timeout. And I thought that (next) stretch, he just made a bunch of amazing plays. We got our pace back."

The Lakers shot 18 of 39 (46.2%) from 3-point range with Doncic going 4 of 8 from long distance while James, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard each made three 3-pointers. Kennard is shooting 48.3% from 3-point range and has averaged 10.2 points in 10 games since arriving in a trade from the Atlanta Hawks.

The Pelicans were on a four-game winning streak before struggling on defense in a 137-117 road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

A pair of rookies led New Orleans off the bench. Jeremiah Fears scored 28 points and made five 3-pointers, both career highs, while Derik Queen added 19 points.

"My teammates just continue to uplift me, give me the ball," Fears said. "... The players and the coaches trust me to be out there and make the right play. I had a little too many turnovers tonight, but I'll just definitely watch film to try to knock them out."

Fears turned the ball over a game-high five times, while New Orleans committed 17 total turnovers that the Clippers turned into 36 points.

"He made good shots, good plays, so we love to see his growth," Pelicans interim coach James Borrego said of Fears, who has averaged 13.4 points and has started in 44 of the team's 62 games. "He's headed in the right direction."

The Pelicans' Zion Williamson, after playing in 35 consecutive games, the longest run in seven seasons since he made his NBA debut in 2020, missed the Sunday contest due to a right ankle sprain. Trey Murphy III (shoulder) returned from a five-game absence and scored 16 points.

Williamson is listed as questionable for Tuesday.