Luka Doncic is known for his on-court brilliance, but after his latest performance with the Los Angeles Lakers, he had a funny admission about his celebrations.
“I mean, it’s great moments. I obviously gotta work on my celebrations because when I hit, I don’t know what to do. I just start skipping, I don’t know,” Doncic said with a laugh. “But those are the greatest moments I can feel in basketball. You just feel good. There’s nothing better than that.” His comments came after hitting three consecutive three-pointers in the first quarter of the Lakers’ 136-115 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Since joining the Lakers in a blockbuster trade, Doncic has been a key player, averaging 22.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in nine games. His performance against the Pelicans was no different, as he posted 30 points, 15 assists, and 8 rebounds in the victory.
LeBron James also had a historic game, scoring 34 points and becoming the first player in NBA history to reach 50,000 combined points in regular-season and playoff games. The milestone came when he nailed a three-pointer early in the first quarter, earning a standing ovation from the Lakers’ faithful.
The Lakers have now won seven consecutive games, improving to 39-21 on the season. Their success has propelled them to the second spot in the Western Conference, with 17 wins in their last 20 games. Despite missing injured starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles continues to dominate, powered by Doncic and James.
Jaxson Hayes made an important contribution, adding 19 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. The Lakers’ offense was efficient, shooting 53.3% from the field and 36.5% from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, their defense stifled the Pelicans, limiting New Orleans to just 26.5% from three-point range.
Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 37 points on 17-of-23 shooting, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Lakers’ firepower. New Orleans struggled to keep pace, particularly in the second half when Los Angeles outscored them 100-91.
Doncic’s early outburst was a highlight, scoring 17 points in the first quarter, including those three straight three-pointers. James added six assists and eight rebounds to his point total, continuing to showcase his all-around skills.
The Lakers also received valuable contributions from their bench, with Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Shake Milton each scoring in double digits. Their depth helped secure the win in the final quarters.
While the Pelicans put up a fight, their 49.5% shooting from the field wasn’t enough to match the Lakers’ efficiency. The loss continues New Orleans’ struggles, sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
With the addition of Doncic and continued brilliance from James, the Lakers are firing on all cylinders. Their 11-2 record since acquiring Doncic positions them as one of the West’s top teams. As Reaves and Hachimura recover, the Lakers look set to keep their momentum as the season moves forward.
