Cole Swider delivered a standout performance on Saturday to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 94-81 win over the New Orleans Pelicans in NBA 2K26 Summer League action at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
The Pelicans opened the game with a 9-0 run, getting contributions from all five starters early. Bronny James got the Lakers on the board and helped them regain momentum, as they closed the first quarter ahead 22-19.
Los Angeles maintained control through the second quarter, holding a 40-36 lead at halftime. The two sides exchanged baskets in the third, but the Lakers carried a five-point cushion into the final frame.
New Orleans cut the deficit to three with about five minutes left, but Los Angeles responded with a decisive 12-0 run to secure the victory.
Swider led all scorers with 21 points, shooting 8-for-17 from the field and 4-for-9 from three-point range. He also tallied 10 rebounds, four assists, and one steal in 28 minutes.
James added 14 points on 5-for-11 shooting and contributed three assists and two steals. Darius Bazley recorded a double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and five blocks, anchoring the defense alongside Christian Koloko, who finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.
Antonio Reeves paced the Pelicans with 20 points, six rebounds, and three steals, while Derik Queen posted 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Jeremiah Fears added 15 points despite struggling from the floor, shooting just 5-for-21.
The Lakers shot 40.5 percent as a team and hit 12-of-36 from beyond the arc, while the Pelicans were held to 33.8 percent shooting and just 25 percent from deep. Los Angeles also forced 15 turnovers and scored 27 fast-break points to seal the win.
