Valanciunas helps Pelicans mount an incredible comeback to overpower Lakers

2022-03-28 02:57
Credit: AP - Scanpix

Brandon Ingram returned from a 10-game absence to score 26 points and the host New Orleans Pelicans (32-43) overcame a 23-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Lakers (31-43) 116-108 (23-31, 26-38, 41-25, 26-14) on Sunday night.

The Lakers (31-43) led by 23 in the second quarter and by 20 at halftime, but rookie Trey Murphy III, who finished with 21 points, led a third-quarter comeback before Ingram, who had been sidelined by a hamstring strain, took over in the fourth.

Jonas Valanciunas added 19 points and 12 rebounds, CJ McCollum scored 18, and Herbert Jones Jr. had 16 points and a season-high six steals for the Pelicans (32-43), who moved a half-game in front of the Lakers into ninth place in the Western Conference.

Player of the Game
Brandon  Ingram
EFF
28
Brandon Ingram
Points 26
Accuracy 10-17
Rebounds 7
Assists 5

The comeback was one point short of the largest ever for New Orleans, which clinched the season series against the Lakers with one game remaining April 1 in Los Angeles.

LeBron James scored 39 points, Malik Monk added 23, and Russell Westbrook had 18 for the Lakers, who were outscored 67-39 in the second half.

Valanciunas made two free throws to give New Orleans its first lead of the game at 98-96 with just over eight minutes left. Los Angeles briefly regained a one-point lead, but Ingram scored seven points as the Pelicans took a 111-105 lead.

Monk's 3-pointer cut the lead in half, but Valanciunas made a layup and McCollum added a basket via a goaltending call on James. That gave New Orleans a 115-108 lead with 29.5 seconds left.

James made two 3-pointers and two more baskets as the Lakers scored the first 12 points of the game and took a 31-23 lead at the end of the first quarter. They held a 69-49 halftime lead.

Murphy led a third-quarter charge by the Pelicans, who got within two points twice before Westbrook's layup gave Los Angeles a 94-90 lead at the end of the period. Murphy scored 16, making all three of his 3-point attempts, as the Pelicans outscored the Lakers 41-25 in the period.

Pelicans: Brandon Ingram 26 (10/15 2PT, 6/7 FT, 7 REB, 5 AST), Trey Murphy 21 (4/7 3PT), Jonas Valančiūnas 19 (7/13 2PT, 5/6 FT, 12 REB), C.J. McCollum 18 (5/11 2PT, 2/5 3PT, 6 AST), Herbert Jones 16 (3/7 2PT, 3/7 3PT, 6 STL).

Lakers: LeBron James 39 (7/14 2PT, 7/13 3PT, 9 REB, 5 AST, 4 TO), Malik Monk 23 (7/9 2PT, 2/8 3PT, 6 AST), Russell Westbrook 18 (6/10 2PT, 2/5 3PT, 7 REB, 6 AST).

Full game highlights:

LeBron James highlights:

Jonas Valanciunas highlights:



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