Pelicans vs Lakers: Luka Doncic takes aim at reporters as LeBron James talks comeback

A question about the NBA play-offs appeared to annoy a tired Luka Doncic after the Los Angeles Lakers star top-scored with 27 points in his side’s comeback win at home to the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday.

Doncic made 10 rebounds and seven assists in the Lakers’ third consecutive win, joined by LeBron James on 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, with the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player moving two field goals behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time record of 15,837.

Marcus Smart also played a pivotal role in the 110-101 victory, proving the Lakers’ defensive anchor with four steals and three blocks.

Luka Doncic analysis: How Lakers surged past Pelicans

The Lakers were 94-86 behind when coach JJ Redick called a timeout with seven minutes and 19 seconds remaining during the fourth quarter, proceeding to score 24 of the ensuing 31 points between the teams and extend their record to 4-0 in the fixture this season.

“They went on a run but we were saying there was a lot of time left,” reflected Doncic. “Sometimes you’ve got to win while playing badly – that’s what good teams do. It wasn’t our best game.”

Doncic was unimpressed when he was asked about the Lakers’ form for a potential campaign in the play-offs, which start on April 18.

“Are you guys going to ask me this question every night?” he rebuked. “We’ve won three in a row… the chemistry is going to keep building.

“It could be the perfect time or not. We’ve just got to approach these games with the same mentality.”

Marcus and Luka with back-to-back threes in crunch time 💪 pic.twitter.com/LfGWxSIux4

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 4, 2026

The Pelicans have been depleted this season, but Trey Murphy III – a potential Lakers trade target – scored 24 points and Zion Williamson added 21 as the forward continued his comeback from a sprained right ankle.

“We knew we weren’t playing against their record,” said James, alluding to the Pelicans’ run of four straight wins before their defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.

“It’s the first time they’ve been whole in quite a while, and we know what type of team they’ve been.

“We came in with that mindset, understanding the type of team we were playing. We came in with the notion that we were playing a very athletic team that’s been playing exceptional basketball lately.”

JJ Redick: Marcus Smart ‘tremendous’

Redick credited Smart with playing “great basketball for the last five or six weeks”. “You guys like to take about roles and diving players among roles,” Redick suggested.

“Smart has starred in his role and what we need from him. He’s been tremendous for us defensively.

“There were a couple of points when you felt the energy of the group starting to wane and he made a big defensive play, got a steal, gets a transition, we score, they call a timeout.”

NBA results: Knicks beat Spurs, Celtics see off 76ers

Other results in the NBA on Tuesday included a hefty win for the San Antonio Spurs over the Philadelphia 76ers.

What’s next in the NBA? Fixtures, schedule

The NBA action resumes with six matches on Wednesday.

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