The Los Angeles Lakers achieved a 118-104 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, showcasing a range of performances from their players. Despite leading by as much as 22 points, the Lakers allowed the Pelicans to narrow the gap with a 12-0 run that spanned the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth. This prompted Lakers head coach JJ Redick to call a crucial timeout and reintroduce his starters to maintain control of the game. Although it would have been preferable for key players to rest ahead of their next matchup, the team ultimately secured the win, which is the primary focus.

Below is a breakdown of each player's performance based on their expected contributions:

Luka Doncic

Minutes: 40 | Points: 24 | Rebounds: 7 | Assists: 12 | Steals: 2 | Blocks: 1 | Turnovers: 3 | Fouls: 1 | Field Goals: 6-16 | 3-Point FG: 3-8 | Free Throws: 9-13 | Plus/Minus: +30

Doncic played a pivotal role in the Lakers' success, effectively navigating the Pelicans' defensive strategies aimed at limiting his impact. His ability to distribute the ball was evident as he recorded 12 assists, and he gradually found his scoring rhythm throughout the game. The only area of concern was his performance at the free-throw line.

Grade: B+

Austin Reaves

Minutes: 39 | Points: 31 | Rebounds: 4 | Assists: 7 | Steals: 1 | Blocks: 1 | Turnovers: 4 | Fouls: 3 | Field Goals: 9-16 | 3-Point FG: 2-6 | Free Throws: 11-13 | Plus/Minus: +16

Reaves delivered an outstanding performance, showcasing his ability to penetrate the defense and score efficiently. His contributions were especially significant in the fourth quarter, where he scored 12 crucial points that helped secure the win.

Grade: A+

Deandre Ayton

Minutes: 36 | Points: 20 | Rebounds: 16 | Assists: 2 | Steals: 2 | Blocks: 1 | Turnovers: 4 | Fouls: 5 | Field Goals: 10-11 | Plus/Minus: +35

Ayton had an exceptional outing, dominating the boards and scoring efficiently from the field. His performance was a standout, contributing significantly to the Lakers' overall success.

Grade: A+

Rui Hachimura

Minutes: 35 | Points: 14 | Rebounds: 4 | Steals: 1 | Turnovers: 1 | Field Goals: 6-10 | 3-Point FG: 2-5 | Plus/Minus: +30

Hachimura has become a reliable player for the Lakers, consistently performing at a high level. His shooting accuracy and rebounding ability were evident in this game.

Grade: B+

Marcus Smart

Minutes: 34 | Points: 13 | Rebounds: 5 | Assists: 2 | Steals: 2 | Turnovers: 2 | Fouls: 4 | Field Goals: 6-15 | 3-Point FG: 1-10 | Plus/Minus: +7

Smart struggled offensively, unable to find his rhythm throughout the game. While he made contributions on the defensive end, his shot selection needs improvement.

Grade: C-

LaRavia

Minutes: 22 | Points: 6 | Rebounds: 3 | Steals: 3 | Blocks: 2 | Turnovers: 2 | Fouls: 1 | Field Goals: 3-4 | Plus/Minus: +4

LaRavia has faced challenges offensively, and his defensive performance has also raised concerns. Although he managed some fast-break scoring, his overall contributions were not sufficient to justify his playing time.

Grade: C-

Knecht

Minutes: 10 | Points: 5 | Rebounds: 1 | Fouls: 2 | Field Goals: 2-5 | 3-Point FG: 1-3 | Plus/Minus: -12

Knecht is showing signs of regaining his shooting touch but needs to enhance his overall effectiveness, particularly in rebounding and defense.

Grade: C-

Hayes

Minutes: 12 | Points: 2 | Rebounds: 3 | Assists: 1 | Field Goals: 1-3 | Plus/Minus: -21

Hayes struggled to make an impact during his time on the court, failing to capitalize on his size advantage against the Pelicans.

Grade: D-

Vando

Minutes: 11 | Points: 3 | Rebounds: 2 | Assists: 1 | Steals: 2 | Turnovers: 1 | Fouls: 1 | Field Goals: 1-4 | 3-Point FG: 1-2 | Plus/Minus: -19

Vando's performance was below expectations, with limited scoring and ineffective defensive contributions, except for a couple of steals.

Grade: C

Coaching Analysis

Coach Redick effectively managed the game, making timely decisions that helped the Lakers maintain their advantage. While he kept the starters in during the critical final moments, his strategic calls ensured that the team retained control over the game.

Grade: B

The Lakers are navigating through injuries, with notable absences including LeBron James. As the team adjusts to returning players, their performance will be closely monitored in upcoming games.