The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t just beat the New Orleans Pelicans—they sent a message. On Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, the Lakers rolled to a 118-104 victory in the NBA Cup Group Play, with Austin Reaves dropping 31 points and Luka Dončić nearly notching a triple-double. The win wasn’t pretty in the fourth quarter, but it was decisive—and it kept the Lakers firmly in the Western Conference’s upper echelon.
Reaves Takes Over, Dončić Orchestrates
Austin Reaves didn’t just score—he dominated. With 31 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds, he was the engine behind the Lakers’ early surge. He hit clutch mid-range jumpers, drove through traffic, and even found open shooters when double-teamed. One highlight clip from YouTube shows him shaking off Larabia with a quick right dribble before firing a pass to Peavey for an open three. That’s the kind of basketball IQ that’s turning heads.
Meanwhile, Luka Dončić, the Slovenian maestro, was quietly brilliant. His 24 points came on 6-of-16 shooting, but his 12 assists told the real story. He controlled tempo, baited defenders into rotations, and found cutters with surgical precision. His season average of 34.9 points per game was already elite. Friday’s performance? It was leadership disguised as efficiency.
Quarter-by-Quarter Dominance
The Lakers didn’t need a late rally—they built it from the opening tip. They dropped 35 points in the first quarter, setting a tone the Pelicans never matched. New Orleans, playing on a 1-3 home record, looked sluggish. Their 25-point first quarter felt like a mirage; the Lakers’ defense tightened up, forcing 14 turnovers by halftime. The second and third quarters were a chess match: 30-27 and 30-25 in favor of LA. Even when the Lakers slowed in the fourth (23 points), they never let the Pelicans get within single digits.
Shooting efficiency was key. The Lakers hit 55% from the field, per YouTube highlights, while the Pelicans hovered around 44%. That gap wasn’t luck—it was execution. Los Angeles Lakers moved the ball with purpose, and their bench, though not heavily featured, kept the energy high.
Standings Shift, Pelicans Still Struggling
Before tip-off, the Lakers were 8-4 and ranked fifth in the West. After this win, they’re 9-4 (.692 winning percentage), one game behind the Houston Rockets and just ahead of the San Antonio Spurs. The Pelicans? They fell to 2-10, 6.5 games behind the conference lead. Their four-game losing streak is now the longest in the West. With no clear offensive identity and defensive lapses in every quarter, they’re staring at another long offseason.
It’s not just the record. It’s the context. The NBA Cup Group Play is meant to inject urgency into early-season games. The Lakers are treating it like a playoff warm-up. The Pelicans? They’re still searching for their first win in this format.
Historical Weight and Future Outlook
The Los Angeles Lakers—founded in 1947, relocated to LA in 1960, and winners of 17 NBA titles—have weathered decades of ups and downs. This season, with Dončić and Reaves leading the charge, they look like contenders again. Their 5-2 road record proves they’re not just a home-court team.
Conversely, the New Orleans Pelicans, rebranded from the Hornets in 2013, still haven’t won a championship. Their roster has talent—CJ McCollum, Alvarado, Jones—but chemistry? Not yet. Their home court, the Smoothie King Center, once buzzed with playoff energy. Now, it’s quiet. Too quiet.
The next Lakers game is expected within the next 1-3 days, per standard NBA scheduling. No opponent has been confirmed yet, but with the Western Conference tightening, every win matters. For the Pelicans? Their next game might be the most important of the season—if they can find a spark.
What’s Next?
The Lakers’ schedule tightens in the coming weeks. Back-to-backs loom. The Clippers, Suns, and Warriors are all chasing playoff positioning. But this win over a struggling Pelicans squad? It’s a statement: LA isn’t just playing to make the playoffs—they’re playing to win it all.
For New Orleans, the path forward is murky. Do they trade for a veteran? Do they accelerate the rebuild? Do they give more minutes to young players like Jos or Alvarado? The answers won’t come quickly. But one thing’s clear: they need more than hope.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Austin Reaves’ performance compare to his season average?
Reaves entered the game averaging 18.7 points per game this season. His 31-point outburst was nearly double that mark and marked his highest-scoring game since joining the Lakers in 2024. He also set a new personal high for assists in a single game, surpassing his previous best of 6. This performance signals a leap in offensive responsibility as the team’s secondary playmaker behind Dončić.
Why is the NBA Cup Group Play significant this season?
The NBA Cup Group Play, introduced in 2024, adds a mini-tournament structure to the early regular season, with group winners advancing to a knockout stage. This game was part of Week 8 of the 2025-26 campaign, and every win carries bonus seeding implications. For teams like the Lakers, it’s a chance to build momentum. For struggling teams like the Pelicans, it’s another hurdle in a long season.
What does this result mean for the Western Conference standings?
The Lakers’ win pushed them into fourth place in the West, just behind the Rockets (8-3) and Spurs (8-4). With the Clippers at 4-8 and the Kings at 3-10, the gap between contenders and cellar-dwellers is widening. The Pelicans remain last in the West, and unless they find consistent scoring, they could be one of the first teams eliminated from playoff contention.
How did Luka Dončić’s playmaking impact the game?
Dončić’s 12 assists were his highest of the season and tied for third in the NBA this week. He didn’t just pass—he manipulated defenses. His ability to draw two defenders and find open shooters forced the Pelicans into constant rotations. That’s what made the Lakers’ 55% field goal shooting possible. He’s not just scoring—he’s elevating everyone around him.
Why are the Pelicans struggling so badly at home?
Despite playing in front of their home crowd, the Pelicans have a 1-3 record at the Smoothie King Center this season. Their defense ranks 28th in the league in points allowed per 100 possessions, and they lack a reliable second scorer behind McCollum. Injuries and roster instability have also disrupted chemistry. Against a disciplined team like the Lakers, those flaws were exposed.
When is the next game for the Lakers and Pelicans?
The Lakers’ next game is expected within 1-3 days, as per standard NBA scheduling. No official opponent has been announced yet, but the team will likely face either the Dallas Mavericks or Sacramento Kings. The Pelicans, meanwhile, are scheduled to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, November 17, 2025—a must-win if they hope to break their four-game skid.
