Lakers vs. Pelicans Preview: No LeBron James in first night of back-to-backs

Lakers (14–4) at Pelicans (3–17) | Game 19 of 82

Where to Watch and What Time

📅 Date: Sunday, Nov. 30

⏰ Tip-off: 6:30 p.m. PST

📍 Location: Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles, Calif

📺 TV: Spectrum SportsNet

📻 Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW

Game Preview

The Lakers have been one of the best contending teams to start the year, riding a six-game win streak and a 14-4 record that has them right behind Oklahoma City in the Western Conference.

Los Angeles goes into Sunday with their first night of back-to-back games against one of the bottom teams in the league. The Pelicans have lost 11 of their last 12 games and sit at the bottom of the West with a 3-17 record.

The Lakers are 6-2 at home and have won five straight games at Crypto.com Arena, while New Orleans is 1-8 on the road.

Luka Dončić (35 points) and Austin Reaves (38 points) combined for 73 points in the Lakers' 129-119 win over Dallas on Friday. That same production will be relied on again against the Pelicans without LeBron James, who was downgraded to out due to left foot injury management on Sunday morning.

The Opponents' Leaders

Zion Williamson’s health continues to hurt this New Orleans team when he's not in the lineup, appearing in just 10 of their 20 games due to a leg injury. Despite that, he is the team's highest producer, averaging 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

Trey Murphy III and Jordan Poole are both behind Williamson in scoring average on the team, but all three will be sidelined with injuries against the Lakers.

With their top three scorers to be in street clothes, look to rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen to create some spark, with both being in the top 10 in scoring among rookies in the NBA.

Pelicans' No. 7 overall pick Fears is fourth in scoring (15.2 points) among rookies, while Queen is seventh at 11.8 points and third in rebounds with 6.1 a game.

Injury Report:

Lakers:

Marcus Smart will miss his second straight game with back spasms.

• Marcus Smart (back spasms): Out

• LeBron James (foot management): Out

Pelicans:

• Zion Williamson (hamstring): Out

• Trey Murphy III (elbow): Out

• Jordan Poole (quadriceps): Out

• Jordan Hawkins (illness): Out

• Karlo Matkovic (calf): Out

Threads for the Game

The Lakers will rock their white threads at home, while the Pelicans will wear their black City Edition unis.

Next Matchup

The Lakers will end their four-game homestand on Monday against the Suns and then head to Toronto to begin the next six of their seven games on the road.