Luka Doncic led the charge for the Dallas Mavericks with a scorching start, scoring 20 of his 34 points in the first quarter. Despite Doncic's hot hand, the Los Angeles Lakers prevailed 133-121 over the New Orleans Pelicans to secure their seventh consecutive victory — all without LeBron James in the lineup.
"Luka was on fire early, but our team’s depth and defense made the difference," said a Lakers spokesperson.
The Lakers started strong, capitalizing on New Orleans' defensive lapses. Doncic energized the Pelicans with his offensive burst early on, but the Lakers consistently answered back. Their defense tightened in the second half, allowing them to pull ahead and sustain the lead until the final buzzer.
This game emphasized the Lakers' growing depth, showing they can win even without their biggest star, thanks to key contributions from players like Austin Reaves and strong team defense.