The Lakers and the Pelicans squared off in the SoFi Play-In Tournament, with Williamson making his first playoff appearance. Despite having a standout performance, scoring 40 points and leading a comeback from 18 points down to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, Williamson’s efforts were not enough as the Lakers secured a 110-106 victory.
The Lakers will now face off against the defending champions, Denver Nuggets, as they look to advance as the No. 7 seed. James and Russell made crucial plays in the closing minutes of the game that helped secure their victory over the Pelicans. On the other hand, Pelicans will have to play another matchup against Warriors and Kings winner for a chance to enter as No. 8 seed.
After the game, concerns about Williamson’s health emerged as he experienced “left leg soreness”. Coach Green provided an update stating that an MRI was scheduled to determine the extent of Williamson’s injury. The Lakers improved their play-in record to 3-0 with this win and have a history of success in these elimination games.
James led the Lakers with 23 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists while Russell and Davis also contributed to their victory. Coach Green received praise for benching his star players when needed, showing tough decisions for what was best for his team.
Despite their impressive performance on court, Pelicans fell short against experienced Lakers squad in a fiercely competitive game.
