Lakers Beat Pelicans 118-104 Behind Dončić’s 24 Points, 12 Assists in Emirates NBA Cup

The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a gritty 118-104 road win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans — a victory that didn’t look this easy on paper, but felt inevitable by the final buzzer. The win, part of the Emirates NBA CupNew Orleans group stage, wasn’t about flash. It was about control. And no one controlled the game better than Luka Dončić, the Slovenian maestro who turned a sluggish start into a masterclass in basketball IQ, dropping 24 points and dishing out 12 assists in 36 minutes. The Lakers’ record improved to 9-4; the Pelicans? They fell to 2-10 — still the NBA’s worst team through 12 games.

Dončić’s Quiet Rise, Then Domination

For the first five minutes, you’d have thought Dončić was playing in a fog. He missed his first three shots — airballs, contested twos, even a rushed three that clanged off the back iron. But here’s the thing: he never panicked. While the Pelicans’ defense swarmed him, he kept his head up, reading rotations like a chess grandmaster. By the time the Lakers went on a 15-0 run in the first quarter — all five starters scoring — Dončić had already set up three of those baskets. Austin Reaves cut to the rim. DeAndre Jordan rolled hard. Rui Hachimura popped for a jumper. All because Dončić saw the space before it opened.

His first three-pointer, a clean, high-arcing shot at the 01:17 timestamp, didn’t just tie the game — it broke the Pelicans’ rhythm. After that, he was everywhere. Seven of his 12 assists came in the first half. He found Reaves on backdoor cuts. He slipped lobs to Jordan. He threaded passes to Hachimura in the corner. The Lakers didn’t need him to score every possession. They just needed him to make the right decision. And he did — over and over.

Reaves Carries the Scoring Load

While Dončić orchestrated, Austin Reaves did the dirty work. The 26-year-old shooting guard poured in a game-high 31 points, hitting key shots when the Pelicans threatened. With New Orleans cutting a 22-point lead to just 10 after back-to-back threes from Trey Murphy III and Derek Quinn, Reaves answered with five straight points — a step-back three, a driving layup, a pull-up jumper, a free throw, and a clutch mid-range jumper. He didn’t celebrate. Didn’t flex. Just walked back on defense like it was Tuesday night in the gym.

Reaves finished with 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 threes. He’s becoming the kind of player coaches dream of — efficient, unselfish, and ice in his veins. When Dončić was resting, Reaves held the offense together. When Dončić was on the floor, he elevated him. It’s a partnership that’s quietly becoming the Lakers’ most dangerous weapon.

Pelicans’ Effort Falls Short

For the New Orleans Pelicans, it was another frustrating night. Trey Murphy III was brilliant — 35 points, 6 rebounds, 4 threes — but he was often isolated against double teams that never came. The Pelicans’ offense ran through him, but without consistent playmaking from Dyson Daniels or Jonas Valančiūnas, it stalled. Jose Alvarado and Herb Jones fought hard defensively, but they couldn’t contain Dončić’s vision. And when the game slipped away, they looked exhausted, not angry.

Their home record? Now 1-5 at the Smoothie King Center. The crowd, once loud and hopeful, grew quiet after the third quarter. This isn’t just a bad season — it’s a rebuilding season with no clear end in sight.

Defense, Discipline, and the Road Win

The Lakers’ defense tightened as the game progressed, particularly in the fourth quarter. Dončić, often seen as just a scorer, was instrumental here too — switching onto guards, forcing tough shots, and communicating switches. The Pelicans shot just 38% from the field after halftime. Jaxson Hayes and the rest of New Orleans’ frontcourt couldn’t get clean looks. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ bench, led by Marcus Smart (who played 18 minutes, per highlights, though stats weren’t fully logged), brought energy without sacrificing structure.

This win extended the Lakers’ road record to 5-2 — the best in the Western Conference. They’re not just surviving on the road. They’re thriving. And with Dončić orchestrating, they’ve become the kind of team that wins close games without needing a miracle.

What’s Next?

The Lakers next face the Memphis Grizzlies on November 16, 2025, at FedExForum in Memphis — a tough test against a fast, physical team. The Pelicans, meanwhile, travel to San Antonio to take on the San Antonio Spurs on November 17 at the Frost Bank Center. A win there might give them their first home victory since October. But with a 2-10 record, confidence is in short supply.

For now, the story is simple: the Lakers are clicking. Dončić is playing like a MVP candidate. Reaves is becoming a star. And New Orleans? They’re still searching for answers.