The Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans meet Friday night at Smoothie King Center with multiple players on the injury list. Tip-off comes at 8:00 PM ET.
LeBron James sits out for Los Angeles due to right sciatica. Gabe Vincent remains out with a left ankle sprain. Adou Thiero lists as questionable from left knee surgery.
Los Angeles enters at 8-4 after losing two of its past three contests, capped by a 92-121 defeat at Oklahoma City on November 12. The visitors beat Charlotte 121-111 on November 10.
The Lakers have relied on Luka Doncic’s scoring and Austin Reaves’ assists through the first 12 games. Doncic averages 34.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game. Reaves posts 28.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per contest. Rui Hachimura contributes 16.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per outing. Deandre Ayton adds 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds nightly.
New Orleans lists Dejounte Murray as out with a right Achilles rupture. Jordan Poole sits out due to a left quad strain. Zion Williamson remains out from a left hamstring strain. Trey Alexander stays unavailable on G League two-way. Hunter Dickinson appears out on G League two-way.
The Pelicans hold a 2-9 record. Trey Murphy III leads New Orleans with 18.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Zion Williamson records 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per matchup. Herb Jones provides 10.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.
