The return of star LeBron James and Anthony Davis from injury could not save the Lakers from losing 114-111 at the hands of New Orleans Pelicans. This was a must win game for Lakers. This loss placed the New Orleans Lakers 11th in the Western Conference, one place below the play-in tournament spots.
Two teams from both conferences can progress via the play-in places to reach the end-of-season play-offs. James scored 38 points and Davis 23 for the Lakers, who lost a fifth consecutive game. The Pelicans moved to 9th position in the Western Conference.
James showed his disappointment and said, “It pretty much was a must-win for us and we didn’t get the job done,”
The Lakers, will face Denver Nuggets on Sunday and try to catch the San Antonio Spurs, who are in 10th place with a 32-45 record.
James is hopeful for his side’s comeback in next game, he said “Until it says we’re eliminated, it doesn’t. Until that moment, we’ll know what our destiny is, but right now, we don’t.”
