LOS ANGELES (AP) – LeBron James finished with 34 points and became the first player to score 50,000 combined points in the regular season and playoffs, and the Los Angeles Lakers extended their longest winning streak in four years to seven games with a 136-115 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night.
Luka Doncic had 30 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds for the Lakers, who have won 17 of 20 to move into second place in the Western Conference at 39-21. Jaxson Hayes had a season-high 19 points and 10 rebounds as Los Angeles won its second straight without injured starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura.
Zion Williamson scored 37 points for the 14th-place Pelicans, who went 2-2 on an encouraging road trip. Trey Murphy III added 19 points.
James surpassed his latest milestone with a 3-pointer early in the first quarter. Lakers fans gave a standing ovation moments later to James, who acknowledged it with a wave of his hand.
Bronny James played the final 4:01, scoring two points in his first NBA action since Feb. 12.
Pelicans: Williamson was outstanding, going 17 of 23 from the floor and adding six assists. New Orleans will feel good about its offensive performance against the NBA’s top defensive team in recent weeks.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James celebrates after making a 3-point basket to go over the 50,000 career point mark during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers: Almost everything is working. They’re 11-2 since acquiring Doncic and 7-2 with the Slovenian superstar in uniform. Four supporting players scored at least eight points in the absences of Hachimura and Reaves.
Doncic´s 17 points in the first were his most in a quarter this season. The barrage was highlighted by 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions.
James is the only player in NBA history to top 45,000 combined points, let alone 50,000. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is second with 44,149.
The Pelicans host the Rockets on Thursday night, and the Lakers finish a six-game homestand against the Knicks.
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (23) reacts to a foul call on the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (23) is defended by New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, left, and Luka Doncic high-five during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic (77) celebrates his three-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic (77) is fouled by New Orleans Pelicans’ Kelly Olynyk (13) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic smiles as he puts on a shirt during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, makes a 3-point basket over New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) to go over the 50,000 career point mark during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
