new orleans pelicans vs lakers match player stats
The New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers match player stats from December 1, 2025, tell the story of a high-scoring game in which Los Angeles used a dominant first quarter and strong interior defense to defeat New Orleans 133-121 at crypto.com Arena. Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 34 points, while Austin Reaves added 33 and Deandre Ayton produced an efficient 22-point, 12-rebound double-double.
The final score was 133-121, but the box score reveals much more than the 12-point margin. New Orleans actually shot better from the field and from three-point range, yet Los Angeles created separation through free throws, rebounding, rim protection and a remarkable 46-point opening period.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers Match Player Stats
The game was played on December 1, 2025, in front of 18,824 fans at crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Lakers entered the contest with a 15-4 record and were 7-2 at home, while the Pelicans were 3-18 overall and 1-9 on the road.
Los Angeles finished with 133 points from 87 field-goal attempts, making 42 for a 48 percent shooting rate. New Orleans made 46 of 91 attempts, shooting 51 percent.
That difference is important. The Pelicans were more efficient from the field, but the Lakers generated significantly more points at the free-throw line.
Los Angeles went 34-for-39 on free throws, an 87 percent rate. New Orleans made 16 of 20, or 80 percent.
The Lakers also controlled the glass, finishing with 46 rebounds compared with 40 for New Orleans. Their defensive presence was even more obvious around the basket, where Los Angeles recorded 10 blocks while the Pelicans had only one.
Game Score by Quarter
| Quarter | Pelicans | Lakers |
| 1st | 27 | 46 |
| 2nd | 30 | 31 |
| 3rd | 35 | 31 |
| 4th | 29 | 25 |
| Total | 121 | 133 |
The opening quarter effectively established the game’s direction.
Los Angeles scored 46 points in the first 12 minutes, building a 19-point advantage. New Orleans responded well during the second and third quarters, but the early deficit forced the Pelicans to spend the rest of the game chasing the Lakers.
Luka Doncic Leads the Lakers With 34 Points
Luka Doncic was the leading scorer in the game, finishing with 34 points for Los Angeles.
His complete statistical line included:
- 34 points
- 9-for-22 shooting
- 4-for-12 from three-point range
- 12-for-14 from the free-throw line
- 12 rebounds
- 7 assists
The scoring total is impressive, but his overall contribution was even more significant.
Doncic combined scoring with rebounding and playmaking, giving Los Angeles production in several areas. His 12 rebounds were especially valuable because they helped the Lakers maintain their advantage on the boards.
His free-throw shooting also played an important role. Doncic made 12 of 14 attempts, allowing him to add points even when his field-goal efficiency was not at its highest level.
The 4-for-12 three-point performance shows that his scoring did not depend entirely on outside shooting. He was able to supplement his perimeter production with free throws and other scoring opportunities.
Austin Reaves Scores 33 Points
Austin Reaves was almost as productive as Doncic, finishing with 33 points.
His numbers were remarkably efficient:
- 33 points
- 9-for-15 from the field
- 4-for-7 from three-point range
- 11-for-12 from the free-throw line
- 5 rebounds
- 8 assists
Reaves shot 60 percent from the field and 57.1 percent from three-point range.
His free-throw performance was also excellent. He converted 11 of 12 attempts, giving him another reliable source of scoring.
The eight assists are particularly important because they show that Reaves was not simply functioning as a scorer. He contributed to the Lakers’ offensive creation while also producing 33 points.
Together, Doncic and Reaves scored 67 of Los Angeles’ 133 points.
That means the pair accounted for just over half of the Lakers’ total scoring.
Deandre Ayton Provides Efficient Interior Production
Deandre Ayton delivered one of the most efficient performances of the night.
He scored 22 points while making 7 of 9 field-goal attempts and all eight of his free throws. He also collected 12 rebounds and recorded four blocks.
His statistical line was:
- 22 points
- 7-for-9 field goals
- 8-for-8 free throws
- 12 rebounds
- 4 blocks
Ayton’s 77.8 percent field-goal accuracy stood out.
More importantly, his contribution extended to both ends of the court. Twelve rebounds helped Los Angeles win the overall rebounding battle, while four blocks gave the Lakers a major defensive advantage.
The Lakers finished with 10 blocks as a team, meaning Ayton accounted for 40 percent of them.
His performance provided an important balance to the perimeter production of Doncic and Reaves.
Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent Complete the Lakers Starting Group
Rui Hachimura scored 14 points and grabbed two rebounds.
Gabe Vincent finished with six points, two rebounds and four assists.
The Lakers’ starting lineup consisted of:
- Rui Hachimura
- Deandre Ayton
- Gabe Vincent
- Luka Doncic
- Austin Reaves
The starting unit combined scoring, ball handling, shooting and interior defense. The production from Doncic, Reaves and Ayton was the primary offensive engine, while Vincent contributed as a facilitator.
Lakers Bench Production
Jake LaRavia led the Lakers’ bench with 10 points.
Jaxson Hayes was the team’s bench leader in blocks with two.
Bench scoring was not the defining feature of Los Angeles’ victory. Instead, the Lakers relied heavily on their principal offensive contributors and used their defensive depth to maintain control.
This is useful context when examining the final score. Los Angeles did not need an enormous bench scoring advantage to win because its leading players produced at a very high level.
Bryce McGowens Leads New Orleans With 23 Points
Bryce McGowens was the Pelicans’ leading scorer, finishing with 23 points.
His numbers included:
- 23 points
- 9-for-18 field goals
- 3-for-5 three-pointers
- 2-for-4 free throws
- 7 rebounds
- 5 assists
McGowens shot 50 percent from the field and 60 percent from three-point range.
He also contributed seven rebounds and five assists, making his performance broader than his scoring total suggests.
His three-point shooting was especially effective. He made three of five attempts from beyond the arc, helping New Orleans maintain offensive efficiency throughout the game.
Saddiq Bey Adds 22 Points and 11 Rebounds
Saddiq Bey finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
He shot 9-for-13 from the field and 3-for-4 from three-point range.
That equates to nearly 69 percent shooting from the field, making Bey one of New Orleans’ most efficient offensive players.
His 11 rebounds also gave the Pelicans an important contribution on the glass.
Bey’s combination of scoring and rebounding helped New Orleans remain competitive after falling behind heavily in the opening quarter.
Jeremiah Fears Scores 21 Points
Jeremiah Fears contributed 21 points for New Orleans.
He made seven of 14 field-goal attempts and converted all six of his free throws. He also recorded three assists.
His perfect six-for-six performance from the free-throw line helped maintain his scoring efficiency even when his overall shooting was more moderate.
McGowens, Bey and Fears combined for 66 points, almost exactly matching the 67 points scored by Doncic and Reaves for Los Angeles.
That comparison highlights how competitive the individual scoring production was despite the Lakers winning by 12 points.
Derik Queen and Yves Missi
Derik Queen scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Yves Missi finished with two points and six rebounds.
The Pelicans’ starting lineup was:
- Derik Queen
- Yves Missi
- Saddiq Bey
- Bryce McGowens
- Jeremiah Fears
Queen provided useful interior production, while Missi’s main contribution came through rebounding.
Pelicans Bench Performance
Jose Alvarado led the New Orleans bench with 12 points.
Micah Peavy recorded two steals to lead the Pelicans’ reserves in that category.
The bench contributions helped New Orleans remain competitive after its difficult first quarter, but the Pelicans could not completely overcome the opening deficit.
Shooting Efficiency Favored New Orleans
One of the most interesting aspects of the box score is that Los Angeles did not win because it shot better from the field.
The Pelicans shot 51 percent overall.
The Lakers shot 48 percent.
New Orleans also made 13 of 26 three-point attempts, good for 50 percent.
Los Angeles made 15 of 41 from three-point range, shooting 37 percent.
On a basic shooting-efficiency comparison, New Orleans had the advantage.
Yet basketball games are decided by total possessions, scoring opportunities and points rather than field-goal percentage alone.
The Lakers compensated for their lower shooting percentage by producing more free throws, winning the rebounding battle and creating significant defensive disruption.
Free Throws Were a Major Difference
The free-throw numbers deserve special attention.
Los Angeles:
- 34-for-39
- 87 percent
New Orleans:
- 16-for-20
- 80 percent
The Lakers attempted 19 more free throws and made 18 more.
That created an enormous scoring advantage.
Even though the Pelicans had the better field-goal percentage, Los Angeles’ ability to reach the free-throw line repeatedly helped explain why the Lakers reached 133 points.
Doncic made 12 free throws.
Reaves made 11.
Ayton made eight.
Those three Lakers alone combined for 31 successful free throws.
Rebounding Helped Los Angeles Control the Game
The Lakers won the rebounding battle 46-40.
They also collected 11 offensive rebounds compared with eight for New Orleans.
On the defensive glass, Los Angeles recorded 35 defensive rebounds while the Pelicans had 32.
The six-rebound overall advantage may appear modest, but offensive rebounds can create additional scoring opportunities.
The Lakers’ 11 offensive rebounds gave them extra possessions and reduced the number of clean defensive possessions available to New Orleans.
Ayton’s 12 rebounds were central to this advantage.
Doncic also contributed 12 rebounds, meaning two Lakers players reached double figures on the glass.
Lakers Defense Produced 10 Blocks
The most striking defensive statistic was blocks.
Los Angeles recorded 10 blocks.
New Orleans recorded only one.
Ayton accounted for four of the Lakers’ blocks, while Hayes contributed two from the bench.
This defensive rim protection helped compensate for the Lakers allowing New Orleans to shoot 51 percent overall.
A team can survive a high opposing field-goal percentage if it consistently prevents clean finishing opportunities near the rim and creates additional possessions through defensive plays.
The block total demonstrates that Los Angeles had a significant presence around the basket.
Both Teams Had Eight Turnovers
Turnovers were surprisingly balanced.
Each team committed eight.
That means the Lakers did not win because New Orleans repeatedly gave the ball away.
Instead, the difference came from other areas, particularly:
- Free-throw production
- Rebounding
- Interior defense
- First-quarter scoring
- Individual star production
The equal turnover count makes the 12-point result more informative because it shows that Los Angeles won without relying on a major turnover advantage.
How the Lakers Built a 46-Point First Quarter
The first quarter was the defining stretch.
Los Angeles scored 46 points while New Orleans scored 27.
That created a 19-point advantage after only 12 minutes.
New Orleans subsequently outscored Los Angeles 30-31 in the second quarter, 35-31 in the third and 29-25 in the fourth.
The Pelicans therefore won the second half by eight points.
But that comeback was not enough.
This is one of the clearest lessons from the game. A strong second-half performance cannot always overcome a disastrous opening period, especially when the opponent has enough offensive talent to maintain a double-digit lead.
New Orleans Improved After the Opening Quarter
The Pelicans deserve credit for their response.
After scoring only 27 points in the first quarter, New Orleans produced:
- 30 points in the second
- 35 points in the third
- 29 points in the fourth
The 35-point third quarter was particularly productive.
The problem was that Los Angeles had already established too much separation.
New Orleans continued to score efficiently, but the Lakers were able to protect the lead.
Team Comparison
| Category | Pelicans | Lakers |
| Points | 121 | 133 |
| Field Goals | 46-91 | 42-87 |
| FG Percentage | 51% | 48% |
| Three-Pointers | 13-26 | 15-41 |
| 3PT Percentage | 50% | 37% |
| Free Throws | 16-20 | 34-39 |
| FT Percentage | 80% | 87% |
| Rebounds | 40 | 46 |
| Assists | 23 | 26 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 8 |
| Steals | 6 | 4 |
| Blocks | 1 | 10 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 8 | 11 |
| Defensive Rebounds | 32 | 35 |
| Personal Fouls | 27 | 14 |
The table reveals why the final result was different from what field-goal percentage alone might suggest.
New Orleans had the better overall shooting percentage, better three-point percentage and more steals.
Los Angeles had more points, rebounds, assists, offensive rebounds and blocks, while committing the same number of turnovers.
The Lakers also committed substantially fewer personal fouls, 14 compared with 27.
Why the Lakers Won
The Lakers’ victory can be explained through several connected factors.
1. The 46-Point Opening Quarter
The first quarter gave Los Angeles a 19-point cushion.
That was the single biggest swing in the game.
2. Doncic and Reaves Combined for 67 Points
The Lakers had two highly productive perimeter creators.
Doncic scored 34.
Reaves scored 33.
Their combined 67 points represented more than half of the Lakers’ total.
3. Ayton Dominated Efficiently
Ayton’s 22 points came on only nine field-goal attempts, and he made all eight free throws.
His 12 rebounds and four blocks added significant defensive value.
4. Los Angeles Controlled the Glass
The Lakers finished six rebounds ahead of New Orleans.
Their 11 offensive rebounds also generated additional opportunities.
5. Rim Protection Was Excellent
Ten blocks compared with one for New Orleans is an enormous difference.
Ayton alone had four.
6. Free-Throw Advantage
Los Angeles attempted 39 free throws.
New Orleans attempted 20.
That difference helped the Lakers overcome their lower field-goal and three-point percentages.
What the Pelicans Did Well
The final score should not obscure the positives in New Orleans’ performance.
The Pelicans shot 51 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range.
McGowens, Bey and Fears combined for 66 points.
Bey was particularly efficient, making nine of 13 field-goal attempts and three of four from deep.
The Pelicans also committed only eight turnovers.
Their 35-point third quarter demonstrated that their offense could create sustained pressure against the Lakers.
The main problem was not an inability to score.
It was the amount of damage done during the first quarter and the Lakers’ advantage in free throws and defensive plays.
Player Stats That Stand Out Most
Several individual performances deserve particular attention.
Luka Doncic
34 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists
Doncic delivered the highest scoring total of the game while also producing a double-double and seven assists.
Austin Reaves
33 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists
Reaves combined high scoring efficiency with strong playmaking.
Deandre Ayton
22 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks
Ayton’s efficiency and defense made him one of the most influential players in the game.
Bryce McGowens
23 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists
McGowens led New Orleans in scoring and contributed across multiple categories.
Saddiq Bey
22 points, 11 rebounds
Bey was one of New Orleans’ most efficient scorers and secured a double-double.
Jeremiah Fears
21 points, 3 assists
Fears provided another important scoring option and went six-for-six at the free-throw line.
Season Series Context
The Lakers’ victory continued their advantage in the season series at that point.
The previous meeting was on November 15, 2025, when Los Angeles defeated New Orleans 118-104.
The December 1 result therefore gave Los Angeles a 2-0 lead in the season series after the second meeting.
The later meetings listed in the supplied game data were:
- January 7, 2026: Pelicans 103, Lakers 111
- March 4, 2026: Lakers 101, Pelicans 110
Those results show why individual game analysis should remain separate from broader season-series conclusions. A team can dominate one matchup while the overall season series develops differently as injuries, rotations and form change.
What the Box Score Says About Both Teams
The statistics suggest two very different offensive profiles.
New Orleans demonstrated efficient shooting.
The Pelicans made 51 percent of their field-goal attempts and 50 percent from three-point range.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, produced more total scoring opportunities.
The Lakers combined aggressive free-throw generation with offensive rebounding and strong finishing around the basket.
Defensively, the difference was even clearer.
Ten blocks for Los Angeles compared with one for New Orleans indicates that the Lakers had much greater success disrupting shots at the rim.
This created a fascinating contrast: New Orleans was more accurate with its shooting, but Los Angeles was better at generating enough possessions and scoring opportunities to reach 133 points.
A Closer Look at the Lakers’ Offensive Structure
The Lakers’ offensive production was not dependent on one player.
Doncic and Reaves carried the largest scoring load, but Ayton supplied efficient interior scoring.
Vincent contributed four assists, while Reaves added eight and Doncic seven.
The Lakers finished with 26 assists overall.
That distribution matters because it indicates that the offense was not simply based on isolated scoring.
The ball was being distributed effectively enough to create opportunities for multiple players.
A Closer Look at New Orleans’ Offensive Structure
The Pelicans also had several reliable scoring options.
McGowens led the team with 23 points.
Bey followed with 22.
Fears added 21.
Queen scored 15.
Alvarado contributed 12 off the bench.
That spread prevented the Lakers from focusing exclusively on one scorer.
The Pelicans’ 23 assists also indicate reasonable offensive ball movement.
The biggest issue was that their productive offense arrived too late to erase the opening deficit.
The Importance of Efficiency Versus Volume
This game provides a useful example of why shooting percentage should not be analyzed in isolation.
New Orleans shot better from the field.
New Orleans shot better from three.
Yet Los Angeles scored 12 more points.
Why?
Because the Lakers generated more free throws and made more of them, won the offensive rebounding battle and produced more defensive plays.
This is why a complete box-score analysis should examine several categories together instead of selecting one statistic as the explanation for the result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the top scorer in the Pelicans vs Lakers game?
Luka Doncic was the game’s leading scorer with 34 points. Austin Reaves followed with 33 points for Los Angeles.
How many points did Austin Reaves score?
Austin Reaves scored 33 points. He shot 9-for-15 from the field, 4-for-7 from three-point range and 11-for-12 from the free-throw line.
How many points did Luka Doncic score?
Luka Doncic scored 34 points. He also recorded 12 rebounds and seven assists.
How many rebounds did Deandre Ayton have?
Deandre Ayton recorded 12 rebounds. He also scored 22 points and blocked four shots.
Who led the Pelicans in scoring?
Bryce McGowens led New Orleans with 23 points. Saddiq Bey scored 22 and Jeremiah Fears added 21.
What was the final score?
The Lakers defeated the Pelicans 133-121 on December 1, 2025.
Conclusion
The New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers match player stats show that Los Angeles won through a combination of explosive early scoring, efficient individual performances, rebounding and interior defense.
Luka Doncic led all scorers with 34 points, while Austin Reaves delivered 33 points and eight assists. Deandre Ayton added 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, giving the Lakers an efficient interior presence.
New Orleans had several impressive performances of its own. Bryce McGowens scored 23 points, Saddiq Bey recorded 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Jeremiah Fears added 21 points. The Pelicans also shot 51 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range.
The decisive difference was the Lakers’ ability to turn their opportunities into points. They attempted 39 free throws, collected 46 rebounds and recorded 10 blocks. Most importantly, they scored 46 points in the opening quarter and created a lead that New Orleans could not completely erase.
The 133-121 result therefore cannot be explained by shooting percentage alone. The complete box score shows how scoring volume, free throws, rebounding, rim protection and star-level production combined to give Los Angeles control of the game.
