For the second time this week, LeBron James faced off with Pelicans phenom Zion Williamson. For the second time this week, James provided one of his best performances this season, in a Lakers win over a pesky New Orleans squad. James finished with a triple-double, 34 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds as the Lakers escaped the Big Easy with a win and a season-sweep of the Pelicans. LeBron did this as Anthony Davis nursed a sore knee. Williamson had the best game of his young career, with 35 points and seven rebounds, but his game wasn’t enough to withstand the incredible onslaught from LeBron.
Among the many moments between Zion and LeBron in the game, was this exchange at the end of the second quarter that seemed to encapsulate their matchup. It started with a dunk by Zion but was capped by a deep 3-pointer by the sage, but still explosive veteran.
In addition to LeBron, the Lakers also got 20 points from Kyle Kuzma who started in place of Anthony Davis. Kuzma was just 8 of 18 from the field but hit a big 3-pointer in the corner to help the Lakers stretch their lead in the final minutes.
As for the Lakers, they will head home to meet with Dion Waiters before they host a short-handed Sixers team on Tuesday.
