The Los Angeles Lakers secured a hard-fought 111-103 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans in a National Basketball Association (NBA) regular season game on Tuesday night, which was Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in Philippine time. The win was fueled by stellar performances from superstars LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Star Duo Ignites Lakers' Fourth Quarter Surge
The game was decided in the final period when the Lakers unleashed a decisive 18-4 run to take control. LeBron James sparked the rally with two deep three-pointers, while rookie Dalton Knecht added another from long range. Center Deandre Ayton contributed two crucial baskets inside the paint during this key stretch, turning a deficit into a 97-90 lead for Los Angeles.
Luka Doncic was a maestro throughout, finishing with a double-double of 30 points and 10 assists. He sealed the victory with two difficult, off-balance three-pointers as the shot clock was expiring late in the game. Ayton provided a strong interior presence with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Pelicans' Valiant Effort Falls Short Despite Murphy's Career Night
The New Orleans Pelicans, despite suffering their eighth consecutive loss, put up a fierce fight. They were led by an extraordinary performance from Trey Murphy, who exploded for a career-high 41 points. Murphy was virtually unstoppable in the third quarter, scoring 20 of his team's points and helping the Pelicans build a late nine-point lead.
Zion Williamson added 15 points for New Orleans. Rookie Derik Queen was a bright spot, recording a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. However, the team's shooting from three-point range was a major downfall, as they made only 10 of 40 attempts (25%). In contrast, the Lakers shot an efficient 50.6 percent from the field overall.
The Pelicans also welcomed back defensive stalwart Herb Jones from a seven-game absence due to a right ankle injury, but he struggled, missing eight of his nine shot attempts.
League Implications and Other Results
This victory marks the Lakers' fourth win in their last five games, providing a positive momentum swing for the storied franchise. For the reeling Pelicans, the search for a win continues as they navigate a challenging losing streak.
In other NBA action on the same night, several games were decided by close margins. The Washington Wizards defeated the Orlando Magic 120-112, the Cleveland Cavaliers earned a 120-116 road win at Indiana, and the Dallas Mavericks edged the Sacramento Kings 100-98. More decisive victories came from the Minnesota Timberwolves, who blew out the Miami Heat 122-94, and the Memphis Grizzlies, who narrowly defeated the San Antonio Spurs 106-105.
