Anthony Davis delivered an impressive 31-point, 14-rebound performance as the Los Angeles Lakers secured their fifth consecutive victory with a 104-99 win over the New Orleans Pelicans tonight. No doubt, this result comes down to the big man’s exceptional play inside the paint, as it usually does.
LeBron James contributed 21 points, including two clutch 3-pointers in the closing moments, though his remarkable streak of four straight games with a triple-double came to an end. Rookie Dalton Knecht stepped up in a starting role, knocking down five 3-pointers and finishing with a career-best 27 points.
Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 32 points but there wasn’t enough help for him tonight. The Pelicans’ struggles persisted, with the team dropping 10 of their last 12 games and it isn’t looking too great for them right now. The Lakers play the Utah Jazz in the NBA on Tuesday night (10:30 ET), and following their victory against the Pelicans tonight, let’s grade every one of their players.
Anthony Davis: A
Stats: 31 points, 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 3 fouls, 2 turnovers, 12-20 FG, 2-4 3PT FG, 5-7 FT, 37 mins
Anthony Davis was once again the anchor for the Lakers on both ends of the floor. His 31 points on 12-of-20 shooting were critical in breaking down the Pelicans’ defense, while his 14 rebounds helped the Lakers control the glass. Davis also added 2 steals and a block, showing his impact on defense as well. A clutch performance in a hard-fought win.
Dalton Knecht: A
Stats: 27 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 0 blocks, 1 foul, 0 turnovers, 10-17 FG, 5-10 3PT FG, 2-2 FT, 37 mins
Knecht had a career night, stepping into the starting lineup and lighting up the scoreboard with 27 points, including five 3-pointers. His 7 rebounds and 2 steals added versatility to his game, and his ability to score efficiently (10-of-17 shooting) kept the Lakers in the driver’s seat. A breakout performance that bolsters his stock moving forward.
LeBron James: A-
Stats: 21 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 1 foul, 6 turnovers, 8-19 FG, 2-7 3PT FG, 3-5 FT, 37 mins
LeBron delivered in the clutch, hitting two critical 3-pointers to secure the win. He scored 21 points and contributed across the board with 7 rebounds and 5 assists. However, his 6 turnovers and 2-of-7 shooting from deep brought his grade down slightly. Still, his leadership and timely scoring were invaluable.
Austin Reaves: B-
Stats: 10 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 1 foul, 0 turnovers, 3-15 FG, 2-9 3PT FG, 2-2 FT, 41 mins
Austin Reaves had a tough shooting night, going just 3-of-15 from the field, but he found other ways to contribute. His 7 assists showcased his playmaking ability, and he played 41 minutes, a testament to his trust from the coaching staff. A solid effort despite the shooting woes.
Christian Koloko: C+
Stats: 6 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 foul, 0 turnovers, 3-4 FG, 0-1 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 11 mins
Koloko made the most of his 11 minutes, scoring 6 points on 3-of-4 shooting and grabbing 6 rebounds. His defensive contributions, including a steal and a block, were noticeable. A decent outing for his limited role.
D’Angelo Russell: C+
Stats: 7 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 3 fouls, 3 turnovers, 2-5 FG, 1-3 3PT FG, 2-2 FT, 21 mins
D’Angelo Russell struggled to leave a major impact offensively, finishing with 7 points and 5 assists. His efficiency (2-of-5 shooting) wasn’t bad, but his 3 turnovers and lack of defensive presence kept him from a higher grade. A quieter game for the Lakers’ point guard.
Max Christie: C
Stats: 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 fouls, 0 turnovers, 1-6 FG, 0-3 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 30 mins
Max Christie had an off night, scoring just 2 points on 1-of-6 shooting. While he added 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block, his shooting struggles and limited offensive contribution were glaring. He needs to find more consistency to thrive in his role.
Gabe Vincent: C-
Stats: 0 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 foul, 0 turnovers, 0-2 FG, 0-2 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 22 mins
Gabe Vincent had a forgettable game, failing to score and going 0-of-2 from the field. He did manage 2 rebounds and 2 assists, but his overall lack of impact offensively or defensively was disappointing in his 22 minutes.
Armel Traore: N/A
Stats: 0 points, 1 rebound, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 foul, 0 turnovers, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 4 mins
Traore played just 4 minutes, and his limited action (0 points, 1 rebound) isn’t enough to merit a grade although it is always nice to see a fresh face appear in a purple and gold jersey.
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