A Shaky Start, Record-Breaking Reaves, and the Lakers’ Wild Climb Back to the Top

LOS ANGELES

The Los Angeles Lakers flirted with disaster against a shorthanded New Orleans Pelicans squad, but eventually turned up the heat in a thrilling 124-108 win that shook up the Western Conference playoff picture.

Yes, it should’ve been a blowout. The Pelicans are dragging through the season at 21-55, without any of their major stars. The Lakers had the full squad ready—minus Rui Hachimura—and yet they let New Orleans take a seven-point lead in the second quarter. That’s not just sloppy—it’s disrespectful to their own championship aspirations.

But by the fourth quarter, the purple and gold remembered who they were.

LeBron James dropped a quiet 27 points—and somehow wasn’t even in the top two scorers for LA. That honor went to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, who both dropped 30-point gems and handed out 13 assists between them like party favors. Reaves, in full flamethrower mode, made Lakers history with 15 threes across his last two games. Who does that?

Jose Alvarado, clearly banged up but playing with heart, led the Pelicans with 27 points. But it wasn’t enough to stop the Lakers’ late surge, as the game slipped away like a Hollywood ending gone wrong—for New Orleans.

And just as LA fans were catching their breath, the West turned into a battlefield.

The Denver Nuggets got thrashed by a ruthless Golden State Warriors team that showed zero mercy. No heroics from Nikola Jokić this time, no Jamal Murray savior arc. Just Stephen Curry setting the court ablaze with 36 points and Brandin Podziemski showing he’s not just another name on the roster.

Then came the Clippers, who eviscerated the Dallas Mavericks in a 114-91 bloodbath while Anthony Davis sat out. The Mavs looked lost, lifeless—and if they don’t figure it out soon, they may find themselves watching the playoffs from the couch.

The Lakers? They’re suddenly back in 3rd place, leaping over Denver and breathing down Houston’s neck. But don’t get too comfortable—next up is a massive road showdown against the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.

There’s still plenty of ball left, but if tonight proved anything, it’s that the West is chaos, nobody is safe, and the Lakers might just be peaking at the perfect time.