LeBron James appeared invigorated, strong on both ends of the court, and prepared to perform well in the playoffs at the conclusion of his 21st NBA regular season.

With a 124–108 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, James led the Los Angeles Lakers into eighth place in the Western Conference with his 28 points, 17 assists, 11 rebounds, and five steals. The Pelicans’ objective of finishing in the top six was lost.

 

 

 

My goal is to triumph. James responded, “So, whatever the game calls for me to be.” Zion Williamson, the top power forward for the Pelicans, has James as his primary blocker. Swiss Army Knife is my name. Nothing is fixed in stone, and I have to complete everything on the floor.

Against the team that selected him first in the 2012 NBA draft, Anthony Davis recorded 30 points and 11 rebounds. This scheduled a rematch for Tuesday night at the same building for the conference play-in.

In the last minutes of the match, Davis requested to leave the field and, with his lower back in a brace, went gingerly back to the locker room. He claimed that when he was pushed from behind while in the air, his back “locked up,” but that his injury was “nothing concerning.”