Fresh off their long-awaited first victory of the season, the Los Angeles Lakers will see if they can make success a theme Wednesday when they host the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Lakers started the season on a five-game losing streak before scoring a 121-110 victory at home Sunday over the Denver Nuggets. They were the last team in the NBA to finally win a game this season.
It was also the first victory for new Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, who has somewhat extended himself on a limb with his decision to use Russell Westbrook off the bench. The plan took flight against the Nuggets, with Westbrook scoring 18 points and sealing the victory with a driving basket with 1:36 remaining.
Westbrook’s consistency issues last season, his first with the Lakers, and his caustic tone throughout, have not been a good look. So Ham made the change in roles, asking the veteran scorer to embrace the team concept while swallowing his pride.
LeBron James scored a team-high 26 points in the victory while Anthony Davis had 23 points and 15 rebounds despite struggling through an ongoing lower-back strain.
The Pelicans know all about working through injuries. Zion Williamson not only missed all of last season, but he also missed consecutive games after a hard fall last week before returning Sunday to help New Orleans to a 112-91 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Williamson had his first double-double of the season — 21 points, 12 rebounds — and dished out seven assists.
The contribution came as Williamson worked through residual hip and back pain.
As Williamson returned, starters Herb Jones (knee) and Brandon Ingram (concussion protocol) missed their third consecutive game. Ingram is expected to be out again against the Lakers, his former team.
Naji Marshall has helped New Orleans pick up some of the slack, averaging 17.7 points with 5.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists over the past three games as the Pelicans are 2-1 in the stretch, having also defeated the Dallas Mavericks.
Marshall also has contributed solid defense from his small forward spot.
