The New Orleans Pelicans vs Lakers match player stats from Tuesday, March 3, 2026 — tip-off at 7:30pm PT at Crypto.com Arena — tell the story of a game decided almost entirely in the final twelve minutes, when Los Angeles outscored New Orleans 34-23 to seal a 110-101 victory.
For three quarters the Pelicans were in control, leading after the first quarter 33-31 and seizing a double-digit advantage in the third that looked like it might be enough to hold.
The Lakers had other ideas, and the fourth quarter was the story the final scoreline told but the box score complicated considerably.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Lakers Match Player Stats: Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
| Quarter | Lakers | Pelicans | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 31 | 33 | NOP +2 |
| Q2 | 23 | 18 | LAL +7 |
| Q3 | 22 | 27 | NOP +7 |
| Q4 | 34 | 23 | LAL +11 |
| Total | 110 | 101 | LAL +9 |
The second quarter was where the Lakers wrested back control, holding the Pelicans to just 18 points in a defensive stretch that proved decisive when the game tightened in the final period.
Los Angeles’s most unanswered run was 14 consecutive points, built during the fourth quarter when the Pelicans’ shooting went cold and their turnover count began to mount at the worst possible moment.
- New Orleans led after one quarter and after three quarters but were outscored in the second and fourth combined by 23 points
- The Lakers’ biggest lead was 10 points, all of it built in the final period
- Both teams had 29 assists, making the turnover differential the decisive factor in the final margin
- New Orleans committed 19 turnovers; the Lakers converted those into 29 points — the game’s single most important statistic
Key Player Stats: Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 27 points and 10 rebounds, his third consecutive double-double, though his seven turnovers were a significant liability in a game the Lakers nearly gave back in the third quarter.
LeBron James was near-dominant in short bursts, finishing with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists while shooting 66.7% from the field, including a perfect 7-for-7 on two-point attempts.
Marcus Smart was arguably the game’s most impactful two-way player despite modest scoring numbers, tallying 10 points with 7 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks in a performance that reminded observers exactly why he holds a championship ring.
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luka Doncic | 27 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 45.5% |
| LeBron James | 21 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 66.7% |
| Austin Reaves | 15 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 26.7% |
| Deandre Ayton | 13 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 75.0% |
| Luke Kennard | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60.0% |
| Marcus Smart | 10 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 33.3% |
- Lakers scored 28 fast-break points, their highest total in five home games
- Deandre Ayton shot 75% from the floor but fouled out in the final minutes, a costly development
- Los Angeles’s 12 blocks were extraordinary — nearly double their season average
- Austin Reaves’ 26.7% shooting was saved by his 5 free throws and 8 rebounds off the bench
Key Player Stats: New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson led New Orleans with 24 points on 55.6% shooting, but was blocked seven times across the evening — a statistic that stripped him of several high-percentage looks and visibly frustrated his rhythm throughout.
Trey Murphy III was the most complete performer in a Pelicans uniform, finishing with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists while shooting 42.9% from three — a performance that deserved a winning team around it.
Dejounte Murray posted a near-triple-double with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, but his three turnovers and mixed shooting efficiency meant he was unable to provide the decisive push the Pelicans needed late.
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | FG% | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zion Williamson | 24 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 55.6% | -7 |
| Trey Murphy III | 21 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 46.7% | -4 |
| Dejounte Murray | 15 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 38.5% | -3 |
| Saddiq Bey | 18 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 38.9% | -9 |
| Herbert Jones | 2 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 14.3% | -3 |
| DeAndre Jordan | 6 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 75.0% | -7 |
Team Stats Comparison
| Stat | Lakers | Pelicans |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 110 | 101 |
| FG% | 47.0% | 42.2% |
| 3PT% | 29.7% | 27.6% |
| Rebounds | 54 | 49 |
| Assists | 29 | 29 |
| Steals | 7 | 12 |
| Turnovers | 22 | 19 |
| Points off Turnovers | 29 | 21 |
| Fast Break Points | 28 | 18 |
| Blocks | 12 | 3 |
| Points in Paint | 50 | 60 |
| Bench Points | 24 | 21 |
- New Orleans actually won the paint battle 60-50 but lost the fast-break battle 28-18, a swing of 18 points that explains the final margin entirely
- The Pelicans’ 12 steals were well above average but generated only 21 points off turnovers compared to the Lakers’ 29 — poor shot selection on transition opportunities cost them dearly
- Zion Williamson being blocked seven times in a single game is one of the more extraordinary defensive efforts by any team this season
- The Lakers’ bench scored only 24 points, their joint-lowest home total of the season, yet still won comfortably — a testament to how damaging the Doncic-James combination proved in the fourth quarter