Ailing James 22 pts help Lakers surpass Pelicans


Devdiscourse News Desk | Los Angeles | Updated: 22-12-2018 12:21 IST | Created: 22-12-2018 11:52 IST
Ailing James 22 pts help Lakers surpass Pelicans
Anthony Davis scored 30 points with 20 rebounds for the Pelicans, who lost their third consecutive game and are 0-2 on their current road trip, which also has stops at Sacramento and Dallas. (Image Credit: Twitter)
  • Country:
  • United States

LeBron James, sick enough earlier in the day that his ability to take the court Friday night was in doubt, nonetheless finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 14 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers turned back the New Orleans Pelicans 112-104 on Friday night.

It was James' third triple-double as a member of the Lakers and his second in four games. It was also the 76th of his career. Kyle Kuzma added 23 points for the Lakers, who ended a two-game losing streak. In his first start of the season, Lakers centre Ivica Zubac scored 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting as the Lakers made it a positive return home after going 1-3 on their road trip.

Anthony Davis scored 30 points with 20 rebounds for the Pelicans, who lost their third consecutive game and are 0-2 on their current road trip, which also has stops at Sacramento and Dallas.

The status of a number of players was in question at the start of the game because of illness. The availability of both James and Davis was in doubt until the start. The Lakers also had Zubac and Tyson Chandler playing through illness.

Rajon Rondo scored eight points with nine assists in his first game since Nov. 14 as he missed 17 contests because of a broken bone in his hand that required surgery. Brandon Ingram, who had 18 points, also played after missing the last seven games because of an ankle injury.

After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Lakers moved out in front in the second quarter and led 69-65 at halftime. James, Kuzma and Zubac all had 12 points in the first half, with James recording nine assists and Rondo collecting eight. Davis had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the first half.

The Lakers led by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, but the Pelicans pulled to within three points before Los Angeles pulled away late. Former Laker Julius Randle scored 21 points for the Pelicans, while Darius Miller had 11 and E'Twaun Moore added 10. Lonzo Ball had 12 points for the Lakers.

The game was played on the same day as an espn.com report that said "several" unnamed NBA general managers took issue with James saying he would be in favour of one day playing with the Pelicans' Anthony Davis. Small-market GMs reportedly believe James' comments are a violation of NBA tampering rules.

(With inputs from agencies.)

Give Feedback