The Los Angeles Lakers (14-4) head to New Orleans to face the reeling Pelicans (3-17) in a lopsided Southwest Division encounter that underscores the Lakers’ early-season dominance against the Pelicans’ injury-riddled rebuild. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis powering L.A.’s balanced attack, this game at the Smoothie King Center offers the Lakers a chance to extend their road win streak, while the Pelicans desperately cling to home pride behind Zion Williamson’s return from load management. Expect a mismatch in the paint and transition, though New Orleans’ young guards could spark upset flashes if the Lakers overlook them. Tip-off is set for Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. ET, broadcast on Bally Sports New Orleans, Spectrum SportsNet, and NBA TV, with streaming on NBA League Pass and the NBA app.
Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: TV – Bally Sports NO, Spectrum SportsNet, NBA TV; Streaming – NBA League Pass, NBA App; Radio – WWL 870 (Pelicans), ESPN LA 710 (Lakers)
Injury Report
The Pelicans’ roster is battered, with key absences crippling their depth, while the Lakers remain largely intact barring minor tweaks. Per the NBA’s official injury report (as of 8:30 p.m. ET on November 29), here’s the update—monitor Zion’s status closely, as his minutes are capped post-rest.
| Team | Player | Status | Injury/Illness Details |
| Pelicans | Zion Williamson | Probable | Right Foot; Plantar Fasciitis Management |
| Pelicans | Brandon Ingram | Out | Left Ankle; Sprain (rehab setback) |
| Pelicans | CJ McCollum | Out | Right Thumb; Fracture Recovery |
| Pelicans | Herb Jones | Questionable | Right Shoulder; Impingement |
| Pelicans | Trey Murphy III | Out | G League – On Assignment |
| Lakers | LeBron James | Available | No Injury (load managed) |
| Lakers | Anthony Davis | Probable | Left Adductor; Mild Strain |
| Lakers | Gabe Vincent | Out | Left Knee; Surgery Recovery |
| Lakers | Jarred Vanderbilt | Out | Left Foot; Stress Reaction |
| Lakers | Christian Wood | Out | Right Knee; ACL Repair |
Pelicans’ Jordan Hawkins is day-to-day with a hamstring pull; Lakers’ Dalton Knecht cleared after flu-like symptoms.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away Split | ATS Record | O/U Record |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 3-17 | 2-7 Home / 1-10 Away | 4-16 | 11-9 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 14-4 | 8-2 Home / 6-2 Away | 11-7 | 10-8 |
The Lakers sit 2nd in the West with a +9.2 net rating, while New Orleans wallows at 15th, owners of the league’s worst record and -12.4 point differential.
Recent Team Forms
L.A. is cruising with six straight wins, blending elite defense (104.8 PPG allowed) and star power, while the Pelicans limp through a 1-4 skid, plagued by turnovers (15.6 per game) and poor shooting (42.8% FG in losses). Combined totals average 228.6 points recently, teasing an over.
New Orleans Pelicans – Last 5 Games (1-4):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| 11/27/2025 | vs. Dallas | L 118-110 | Williamson: 26 pts, 8 reb; Late fade |
| 11/24/2025 | @ Houston | L 112-105 | Nance: 18 pts; No Ingram hurts |
| 11/22/2025 | vs. Utah | W 120-115 | Murphy: 22 pts off bench; Rare W |
| 11/20/2025 | @ Memphis | L 128-112 | McCollum absence felt; 20 TOs |
| 11/17/2025 | vs. San Antonio | L 115-108 | Williamson: 24 pts; Wemby edges |
Los Angeles Lakers – Last 5 Games (5-0):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| 11/27/2025 | @ Portland | W 124-118 | James: 28 pts, 10 ast; Road streak |
| 11/24/2025 | vs. Denver | W 113-107 | Davis: 32 pts, 14 reb, 4 blk; D clamps Jokic |
| 11/22/2025 | @ Minnesota | W 110-105 | James triple-double; Clutch mode |
| 11/20/2025 | vs. Phoenix | W 118-114 | Reeves: 25 pts; Bench adds 40 |
| 11/17/2025 | @ Sacramento | W 120-116 | Davis: 30 pts; Overtime thriller |
Series History
The Lakers hold a commanding all-time lead (116-104 over 220 games), and they’ve feasted on New Orleans lately, winning 8 of the last 10 meetings by an average of 10.6 points. L.A. swept the 2024-25 series 4-0, including a 122-115 road victory on November 12, 2025, where Davis outmuscled the Pelicans’ frontcourt. New Orleans is 2-8 in last 10 home vs. LAL, rarely covering as big underdogs.
Key Historical Trends:
Lakers 8-2 SU last 10 head-to-heads.
Over in 7 of last 9 meetings (avg. 226 points).
Pelicans cover +12.5 in only 3 of last 10 as home dogs vs. LAL.
Player Matchups
L.A.’s star duo overwhelms a depleted Pelicans roster, but Zion’s interior scoring tests Davis early. With Ingram out, New Orleans’ perimeter game falters against the Lakers’ length—expect heavy paint traffic and free-throw disparity.
Zion Williamson (Pelicans, probable; 22.8 PPG, 9.4 RPG) vs. Anthony Davis (Lakers, 28.6 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.8 BPG): Zion’s power challenges AD’s versatility, but Davis’ blocks (projected 3+) and rebounding edge (+4.2 margin) dominate. Edge: Lakers.
Dejounte Murray (Pelicans, 20.4 PPG, 6.2 APG) vs. Austin Reaves (Lakers, 16.8 PPG, 5.4 APG): Murray’s creation tests Reaves’ two-way play, but AR’s efficiency (49% FG) in pick-and-rolls shines. Edge: Lakers.
Larry Nance Jr. (Pelicans, 12.6 PPG, 8.2 RPG) vs. LeBron James (Lakers, 25.2 PPG, 8.4 APG): Nance’s energy disrupts LeBron’s drives, but King James’ vision (triple-double threat) overwhelms. Edge: Lakers.
Jose Alvarado (Pelicans, pesky D) vs. D’Angelo Russell (Lakers, 18.2 PPG): Alvarado’s steals (2.1 SPG) pressure D-Lo’s isos, but Russell’s spacing (38% 3PT) pulls defenders.
X-Factor: Lakers’ bench (38.4 PPG) vs. Pelicans’ youth (turnover-heavy at 14.8 per game).
Betting Trends
Key Trends:
Pelicans: 1-4 SU last 5; 2-13 ATS home; Over in 8/12 games.
Lakers: 6-0 SU streak; 9-3 ATS road; Under in 6/8 vs. Southwest.
Head-to-Head: Over in 7/9; Lakers 8-2 ATS last 10.
Game Odds
New Orleans Pelicans 233.5
Los Angeles Lakers – 14.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, November 29, 2025
