NBA: Lakers pound Pelicans as LeBron James hits 50,000 points

Mar 4, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Video board displaying 50,000 career point milestone for Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) after scoring a three point basket against the against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of an NBA game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

LeBron James scored 34 points on a milestone night and Luka Doncic added 30 points and 15 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers celebrated with a 136-115 victory over the visiting New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA on Tuesday.

With a 3-pointer in the first quarter, James became the first player to reach 50,000 points in regular-season and playoff games combined.

Doncic made his own history, becoming the fourth player in franchise history with at least 30 points and 15 assists in a game, joining Jerry West, Magic Johnson and James.

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Jaxson Hayes scored 19 points and pulled down 10 rebounds and rookie Dalton Knecht added 13 points as Los Angeles won its seventh consecutive game despite playing the past three without Rui Hachimura (knee) and the past two without Austin Reaves (calf).

Zion Williamson scored 37 points and Trey Murphy III added 19 for the Pelicans, who had won five of their previous seven games. Jordan Hawkins scored 17 and Kelly Olynyk added 11 for New Orleans, which finished a 2-2 road trip.

Mar 4, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball against New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) during the first half of an NBA game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Pelicans were within seven points in the third quarter, but the Lakers soon went on a 14-2 run to take a 94-74 lead with 3:37 remaining in the period. Los Angeles took a 102-84 advantage into the fourth quarter.

The Lakers sealed the victory with nine fourth-quarter points from both James and Knecht, and rookie Bronny James got into the mix with a late basket to earn a roar from the crowd.

The Lakers scored 36 points in the first quarter and held a 69-59 lead at halftime after shooting 51.1 percent from the floor. Doncic had 20 points and Hayes had 19 points at the half. The Pelicans trailed despite hitting 52.1 percent of their first-half field-goal attempts, while Williamson tossing in 21 points.

James passed the 50,000-point mark for his career on his first basket of the game, a 3-pointer from the left wing with 8:34 remaining in the first quarter off a pass from Doncic. –Field Level Media