Key Takeaways
- The Highlight: Trey Murphy III sent shockwaves through Los Angeles with a massive one-handed poster dunk in the third quarter.
- The MVP: Luka Doncic stifled the Pelicans’ momentum with 29 points and 9 assists, securing the Lakers’ 36th win.
- The Missing Piece: New Orleans struggled without Zion Williamson, whose 35-game playing streak ended Tuesday due to an ankle sprain.
LOS ANGELES — Trey Murphy III didn’t just dunk; he dismantled the rim. At the 4:12 mark of the third quarter, the Pelicans forward took off from just inside the dotted line, rising over a rotating Laker defense to deliver a thunderous one-handed slam. The stadium shook, the Pelicans bench spilled onto the court, and social media exploded. However, once the dust settled, the Los Angeles Lakers maintained their composure to secure a 110-101 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
High-Flying Highlights, Grounded Results
The Pelicans entered Tuesday night reeling from the news that Zion Williamson would miss his first game since mid-December. Without their powerhouse, Murphy took over the scoring burden, finishing with 16 points and 4 rebounds. His viral poster served as the peak of a 10-2 New Orleans run that briefly threatened the Lakers’ lead.
Los Angeles responded with veteran precision. Luka Doncic controlled the tempo from the perimeter, finishing with 29 points on 11-of-22 shooting. The Lakers defense capitalized on 17 Pelicans turnovers, turning those mistakes into 24 fast-break points. Deandre Ayton anchored the paint with 12 rebounds and 3 blocks, ensuring the Pelicans didn’t get second chances after Murphy’s initial fireworks.
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luka Doncic | Lakers | 29 | 6 | 9 |
| Trey Murphy III | Pelicans | 16 | 4 | 2 |
| LeBron James | Lakers | 18 | 7 | 5 |
| Deandre Ayton | Lakers | 14 | 12 | 0 |
What They Said
After the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick acknowledged the athleticism of the play while emphasizing the defensive scheme that ultimately won the game.
“Trey is one of the most athletic wings in this league. You’re going to end up on a highlight reel occasionally when you play aggressive defense. But we didn’t let that play break our rhythm. We locked back in, forced a stop on the next three possessions, and that’s why we walked away with the win.”
— JJ Redick, Lakers Head Coach
Playoff Implications: The Race for the Fourth Seed
With this victory, the Lakers move to 36-24, tightening their grip on the 6th seed in the Western Conference and closing the gap on the 5th-place Houston Rockets. For a team that has struggled with consistency, winning “trap games” against shorthanded opponents like the 19-43 Pelicans is a necessary step toward avoiding the Play-In Tournament.
New Orleans remains in a development phase, focusing on the growth of rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. While the loss stings, Murphy’s performance provides a glimpse of the explosive potential the Pelicans hope to harness once Williamson returns to the lineup. The Lakers now head to Denver for a Friday night showdown with the Nuggets—a game that will serve as a true litmus test for their championship aspirations.
