LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket in front of Josh Hart #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Staples Center on January 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP
Four-time NBA champion LeBron James took on former first overall draft pick Zion Williamson and after the slow start the host Los Angeles Lakers rolled to a 112-95 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.
James had 21 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, Anthony Davis finished with 17 points and a half dozen Lakers finished in double figure scoring.
Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope each with 16 points, Germany’s Dennis Schroder with 12 and Kyle Kuzma with 11 as the first place Los Angeles won their fifth game in a row.
Never lose sight of LeBron James 🔨
(📺: @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/jq6ABkzour
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 16, 2021
New players
“We are playing good basketball right now and we want to continue that,” said James. “We are implementing five new guys into our rotation that weren’t part of our team last year.”
Williamson, who returned after a one-game absence due to health protocols, had 21 points and 12 rebounds and Brandon Ingram scored 20 points for the Pelicans, who lost their fifth straight.