Lakers vs. Pelicans Final Score, Results: LeBron James and LA Advance to NBA In-Season Tournament Championship

The Lakers punched their ticket to the NBA In-Season Tournament championship in convincing fashion.

Los Angeles earned a 133-89 victory over New Orleans in the semifinals. LeBron James led the way for the Lakers, finishing with 30 points on 9-of-12 shooting, along with eight assists and five rebounds in just 23 minutes of action.

It was a dominant overall performance for the Lakers, who also saw Anthony Davis finish with 16 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks in 31 minutes. Austin Reaves added 17 points while Taurean Prince hit five triples to finish with 15 points.

As for the Pelicans’ starting unit, Zion Williamson scored 13 points while Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas each scored nine points.

On Saturday, the Lakers will face the Pacers with the NBA Cup and $500,000 per player on the line. The Sporting News followed updates and highlights from Los Angeles’ dominant victory.

MORE: Explaining everything you need to know about how the tournament works in season

Final score of the Lakers against the Pelicans

Lakers vs. Pelicans Results, 2023 In-Season Tournament Semifinal Highlights

All times are Eastern.

Final: Lakers 133, Pelicans 89

11:30 p.m.: TV timeout in Las Vegas and the Lakers’ lead grew to 44 points.

Both teams went to the end of the bench, with a number of rookies getting their first taste of in-season tournament action on the main stage.

There are 2 hours 45 minutes remaining in settlement.

Lakers 131, Pelicans 87

11:20 p.m.: Four minutes into the fourth quarter, the Lakers still maintain a commanding lead.

There is a timeout on the court and LA leads 119-81.

End of third trimester: Lakers 110, Pelicans 71

11:10 p.m.: We’re a quarter away from a Lakers-Pacers final in the first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament Championship.

LA outscores New Orleans 43-17 in the third quarter, leading by as many as 41 points before taking a 39-point lead into the fourth quarter. Barring an unforeseen return, this one is pretty much over.

The Lakers starters are probably done here, which means LeBron James’ night ends with him scoring 30 points in 23 minutes, while Anthony Davis stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, 15 rebounds, five assists decisive goals, two interceptions and two blocks in 31 minutes.

10:57 p.m.: Things officially got out of hand in Las Vegas as the Lakers took a 30-point lead over the Pelicans.

LeBron James has 30 points (on neat 9-of-12 shooting), eight assists and five rebounds while Anthony Davis has 13 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks and New Orleans doesn’t just didn’t get a response.

There is a timeout on the court with 5:44 left in the third quarter.

Lakers 90, Pelicans 60

10:46 p.m.: LeBron James is clearly on a mission.

James is now a perfect 4 of 4 from beyond the arc as his latest triple brings his total to 28 points on the night. The Lakers are up 19 points with 8:04 left in the third quarter and Pelicans head coach Willie Green called another timeout.

Lakers 79, Pelicans 60

10:44 p.m.: The game begins to move away from New Orleans.

LeBron James makes two free throws to bring his total to 25 points and give the Lakers a 20-point lead early in the second half. This Pelicans team is capable of making a comeback, but time is running out.

Lakers 76, Pelicans 56

Halftime: Lakers 67, Pelicans 54

10:22 p.m.: LeBron James left his mark on the second quarter and the Lakers took a 13-point lead into the locker room.

In the second quarter alone, James scored 18 points, bringing his total for the game to 21 points, along with four assists and two rebounds. Anthony Davis did a little bit of everything for Los Angeles, recording six points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.

Taurean Prince was big for the Lakers, scoring 12 points on 4 of 6 shooting from distance.

For the Pelicans, Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas and Zion Williamson each scored nine points apiece. Herb Jones also added eight points and six rebounds in the half.

10:00 p.m.: The Lakers are starting to gain distance.

Thanks in large part to LeBron James’ surge, Los Angeles outscored New Orleans 15-5 over the first four minutes of the second quarter. Floor timeout with 7:59 left in the half.

Lakers 44, Pelicans 35

9:55 p.m.: After scoring just two points in the opening period, LeBron James is in double figures after draining consecutive 3-pointers, allowing him to score 11 straight points for Los Angeles.

LeBron James is ON FIRE, hitting 3 straight triples in the 2nd Q ????

14 PTS, 5/6 FGM, 3/3 3 p.m. halfway 2 ????

???? Pelicans/Lakers on TNT
???? The winner faces the Pacers in the championship in Las Vegas on Saturday pic.twitter.com/PSGSEhF15b

-NBA (@NBA) December 8, 2023

James is up to 14 points in the game thanks to a perfect 5-of-5 shooting from the field, including his three triples.

Lakers 40, Pelicans 33

End of first quarter: Pelicans 30, Lakers 29

9:51 p.m.: A quarter is on the books and it’s been an uphill battle so far.

After 12 minutes of back-and-forth play, New Orleans took a one-point lead into the second quarter. The offense was balanced on both ends, with Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell each scoring six points to pace the Lakers while Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with six points.

Early feedback suggests that this game has the makings of a game that will go all the way to the end.

9:41 p.m.: The Pelicans make their living on the offensive glass, and as a result, things are tied with 4:17 left in the first half.

New Orleans pulled down four offensive boards, earning them seven second-chance points. Zion Williamson leads the way with six points on perfect 3-of-3 shooting.

Lakers 17, Pelicans 17

9:33 p.m.: It was a hot start for the Lakers, who led by four points as we reached our first break of the game.

Led by six points (on 3-of-3 shooting from D’Angelo Russell), LA is shooting 6-of-8 (75.0%) from the field, including 2-of-2 from deep. New Orleans, which saw every starter score a bucket, is shooting 4 of 9 from the field.

Timeout on the ground less than five minutes.

Lakers 15, Pelicans 11

9:26 p.m.: The game has finally begun in Las Vegas as the strong Lakers contingent at T-Mobile Arena enjoy the fact that Los Angeles gets on the board first thanks to a LeBron James and-one.

The West semi-finals are underway.

Pre-match

9:00 p.m.: After a thriller in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, expect things to get going around 9:25 p.m. ET, as the Lakers-Pelicans game is the second game of a doubleheader in the same arena.

It’s a little late but we’re still 30 minutes from the alert.

8:45 p.m.: Starting for the Lakers: D’Angelo Russell, Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

The Pelicans will start with a starting unit consisting of CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas.

MORE: Why NBA stars are motivated by in-season tournament prize money

Lakers vs. Pelicans start time

• Date: Thursday December 7
• Time: 9 p.m. ET | 6:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)

Lakers vs. Pelicans will kick off around 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 7. The match will be played at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

On which channel are Lakers vs. Pelicans?

• Date: Thursday December 7
• TV channel: TNT | TruTV
• Live broadcast : Sling TV

Lakers vs Pelicans will air on TNT and TruTV. Viewers can also stream the game on Sling TV.

Fans in the United States can watch the biggest games of the 2023-24 NBA season on Sling TV, now offering HALF OFF your first month! Sling basic plans (Sling Orange or Sling Blue) start at just $20 for your first month, or you can get Sling Orange + Blue starting at $27.50 for your first month.

There are no long-term contracts and you can change your channel lineup at any time. DVR is included with thousands of on-demand shows and movies.

NBA In-Season tournament schedule, bracket

Monday December 4

Tuesday December 5

Thursday December 7

Saturday December 9