The Los Angeles Lakers were hoping to start the new year with a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans after suffering a difficult defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves the previous evening.

The Lakers, however, suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of the Pelicans, 129-109, and concluded 2023 with a 17-17 record that dropped them down to.500.

Rui Hachimura started in place of Cam Reddish, and he made Los Angeles’ opening basket of the game, but the club fell behind 11-4 early in the game. The Pelicans’ Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram each scored once, but the Lakers were only behind 21-17 at the half.

After a fastbreak layup by LeBron James gave the Lakers their first lead of the game, CJ McCollum scored a 10-point advantage for the Pelicans. The Lakers’ defence was practically nonexistent, and as a result, they were behind 42–33.

Los Angeles was a half step sluggish on both ends of the floor, so they didn’t assist themselves much to start the second. Anthony Davis had a highlight-reel block, but the Pelicans faced little opposition in scoring and extended their advantage to 16.

James managed to cut the lead to just ten points with a back-to-back three-pointer, but Herb Jones answered with a pair of threes of his own to hold off the Lakers. James made numerous aggressive shots, but Los Angeles trailed 74-57 at the half.

Hachimura suffered an injury to his left calf midway through the second quarter, which forced him to sit out the rest of the match.

In the second half, Reaves started in place of Hachimura and scored his first points off a corner 3-pointer right away. James was able to bring Los Angeles within striking distance, just like in the first half, but the Lakers were still behind 86-74.

James was able to ignite the fans with a powerful slam during transition, but he missed a difficult layup the next time down and was unable to take advantage of the opportunity. Los Angeles entered the fourth quarter down 104-89 after New Orleans crossed the century mark at the end of the third quarter thanks to Davis’s foul trouble.

Much of the first quarter of the fourth continued as the Lakers failed to overcome their disadvantage. Every time the team had a chance to tie the game, a poorly timed turnover or missed shot made the comeback harder.

The purple and gold battled valiantly to try and make one more run with time running short. They would, however, return home with yet another defeat after failing to generate any kind of momentum.