Lakers vs. Pelicans live score, updates, highlights from 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament game

By | April 16, 2024
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The NBA postseason kicks off Tuesday with the Western Conference Play-In Tournament.

The Pelicans will host the Lakers in a matchup where the winner will secure the No. 7 seed and a first-round series against the defending champion Nuggets. The loser’s season will not be over yet. They’ll take on the winner of the Warriors vs. Kings 9-10 game for a chance to claim the No. 8 seed and a first-round series with the Thunder.

LeBron James and the Lakers were in this same position last season, winning their first Play-In game before going on a run to the Western Conference Finals. The Pelicans are no stranger to the Play-In either, participating in the tournament for the third year in a row.

This time, New Orleans will have star forward Zion Williamson available for his first-ever postseason game.

Will the Lakers take care of business and secure a playoff spot, or will the Pelicans learn from last year’s exit and clinch the No. 7 seed? The Sporting News has you covered with live updates, highlights, and more below.

PREVIEW: Predictions for Lakers vs. Pelicans Play-In game

Lakers vs. Pelicans live score

  1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q Final
Lakers 26 34      
Pelicans 34 16      

MORE: Why Lakers losing to Pelicans in Play-In could be a blessing in disguise

Lakers vs. Pelicans live updates, highlights

(All times Eastern.)

Halftime: Lakers 60, Pelicans 50

8:39 p.m.: Zion Williamson goes coast to coast to beat the halftime buzzer and cut the deficit to 10 at the half.

Williamson has a game-high 20 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Not bad for the first half of his postseason debut. His buzzer-beating drive could give the Pelicans life after a rough second frame.

The Lakers outscored the Pelicans 34-16 in the second frame to build a double-digit lead. LeBron James’ 15 points are tied for a team-high with D’Angelo Russell, who has also dished out six assists.

Anthony Davis has six points and eight rebounds and as a team, the Lakers are shooting 10 of 20 from deep while the Pelicans are shooting 4 of 16.

8:26 p.m.: Under four minutes remain in the first half and the Lakers have a five-point lead.

LeBron James is up to nine points, five assists and four rebounds on the night after a few transition buckets. James has been a steadying force while D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Davis have also made big contributions.

In his first postseason action, Zion Williamson has 16 points and seven rebounds in 16 minutes of action. Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones have each added seven points apiece for New Orleans.

8:22 p.m.: New Orleans and Los Angeles continue to battle back-and-forth.

Anthony Davis splits a pair of free throws to give the Lakers a three-point lead as we cross the midway point of the second quarter. Davis and the Lakers continue their strong play in the second quarter.

Lakers 45, Pelicans 42

8:11 p.m.: The Lakers have responded.

Los Angeles opens the second frame on a 9-2 run to cut the deficit to one point.

D’Angelo Russell has picked up where he left off and is up to a game-high 15 points while LeBron James has five points and five assists.

For New Orleans, Zion Williamson has 12 points, six rebounds and that loud block on James.

Pelicans 36, Lakers 35

End of first quarter: Pelicans 34, Lakers 26

8:05 p.m.: It’s a strong finish to the first frame for New Orleans, which holds an eight-point lead after the first 12 minutes.

The game has been all about the lefties to start — D’Angelo Russell’s 13 points lead all scorers while Zion Williamson leads New Orleans with 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting.

The Pelicans are shooting 50.0 percent from the field while the Lakers are shooting an icy 34.6 percent. New Orleans’ 14-5 run to finish the quarter was fueled by its defensive intensity.

8:00 p.m.: We’ve got an early back-and-forth between D’Angelo Russell and Jose Alvarado.

The two have been exchanging words and got into each other’s faces with under one minute remaining in the first quarter. The sequence is under review as Alvarado was whistled for a technical foul.

After a review, it’s a double technical foul for Alvarado and Russell, who have some history on the floor.

7:55 p.m.: It’s a quick 5-0 sprint for the Pelicans, who are taking advantage of a drought for the Lakers. Los Angeles has missed six straight field goals.

New Orleans, which is stepping up defensively, takes a four-point lead into a timeout.

Pelicans 25, Lakers 21.

7:45 p.m.: The pace has been one to behold early on.

Just past the midway point of the first quarter, these teams have combined for 41 points. LA has a one-point lead as the first timeout of the night comes with 5:10 remaining in the first.

D’Angelo Russell leads all scorers with eight points while Brandon Ingram leads the Pelicans with five points. Jonas Valanciunas has four points, six rebounds and an assist and New Orleans is winning the rebounding battle 9-6.

The early difference? The Lakers are 4 of 6 from 3-point range while the Pelicans are 2 of 5.

Lakers 21, Pelicans 20

7:37 p.m.: After a slow game on Sunday, Jonas Valanciunas gets the Pelicans on the board first after a trip to the free throw line.

The 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament is underway.

Pregame

7:15 p.m.: It’s about that time. Anthony Davis and LeBron James look ready.

7:07 p.m.: Starting lineups are in.

Starting for the Pelicans: CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas.

Starting for the Lakers: D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

6:45 p.m.: Anthony Davis and LeBron James are both officially available for the Lakers tonight. Cam Reddish has been downgraded to out, joining Jalen Hood-Schifino, Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood on the inactive list.

It’s a clean injury report for the Pelicans, who will be at full strength.

6:07 p.m.: Lakers head coach Darvin Ham says “In all likelihood, he’ll be out there. For sure,” when asked about Anthony Davis’ status for Tuesday night.

5:35 p.m.: After experiencing back and hip spasms on Sunday, Anthony Davis is warming up for tonight’s game.

Davis said he’d definitely be playing against his former team and he appears to be on track to do so.

4:50 p.m.: Tip-off is over two hours away but LeBron James is already on-site at the Smoothie King Center and ready to get to work.

Lakers vs. Pelicans betting odds

The Pelicans opened as 1.5-point favorites over the Lakers according to BetMGM, an authorized gaming operator of the NBA.

  Spread Total Moneyline
Lakers +1.5 (-115) o224.5 (-110) +100
Pelicans -1.5 (-105) u224.5 (-110) -120

MORE: TSN’s Steph Noh shares his expert All-NBA picks

Lakers vs. Pelicans date start time, TV channel, live stream

  • Date: Tuesday, April 16
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • TV channel: TNT
  • Live stream: Sling

In the United States, Lakers vs. Pelicans will air nationally on TNT. Viewers in the U.S. can also stream Lakers vs. Pelicans on Sling TV.

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