Lakers vs Pelicans is an NBA matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans. Their next scheduled meeting is December 2, 2026, at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The Lakers won all four regular-season meetings during the 2025-26 season, including a 110-101 victory in the most recent game on March 3, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- The Lakers won all four 2025-26 regular-season meetings with New Orleans.
- The next scheduled matchup is December 2, 2026, in New Orleans.
- The Lakers hold a 54-28 regular-season record against the Pelicans franchise through the 2025-26 season.
- Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves headline the Lakers’ current backcourt, while Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, and Trey Murphy III are among New Orleans’ important players.
- The matchup brings together two Western Conference teams with very different recent head-to-head trends.
Lakers vs Pelicans: Next Game
The next scheduled Lakers vs Pelicans game is set for December 2, 2026, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The arena lists the event for 7:00 p.m. local time, while NBA.com lists the game at 8:00 p.m. ET.
That means Lakers fans traveling to New Orleans will see the Lakers play on the Pelicans’ home floor. The teams are also scheduled to meet again later in December, making the December stretch particularly interesting for this Western Conference matchup.
Because the 2026-27 regular season is only beginning, confirmed injury information, starting lineups, and final rotations can change before the December game. It is better to check the official NBA game page closer to tipoff rather than treating projected lineups as confirmed.
Lakers vs Pelicans Recent Results
The recent series has been strongly in Los Angeles’ favor.
During the 2025-26 regular season, the Lakers and Pelicans played four times. Los Angeles won every meeting:
| Date | Result | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 14, 2025 | Lakers 118, Pelicans 104 | Lakers |
| Nov. 30, 2025 | Lakers 133, Pelicans 121 | Lakers |
| Jan. 6, 2026 | Lakers 111, Pelicans 103 | Lakers |
| Mar. 3, 2026 | Lakers 110, Pelicans 101 | Lakers |
The four-game sweep continued a long Lakers advantage in the regular-season series.
The final meeting of that season was relatively close. New Orleans scored 101 points, but Los Angeles held on for a nine-point victory at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers vs Pelicans Head-to-Head Record
Regular-Season Record
Through the end of the 2025-26 regular season, the Lakers had played the Pelicans franchise 82 times in the regular season.
The Lakers have won 54 of those games, while New Orleans has won 28. That gives Los Angeles a substantial historical advantage in the regular-season matchup.
Over those meetings, the Lakers have averaged 108.0 points per game against New Orleans, compared with 104.5 for the Pelicans. The Lakers have also shot better overall from the field and from three-point range in the historical matchup.
There is an important historical detail here: franchise-history records can include earlier versions of the New Orleans franchise. That is why older head-to-head databases may use terminology connected to the New Orleans Hornets or other franchise history when presenting the complete record.
Recent Lakers Dominance
The most striking part of the current rivalry is the recent streak.
The Lakers entered the 2026-27 season having won the previous eight regular-season meetings with New Orleans, according to the recent game logs. Their last loss to the Pelicans in the regular season came on December 31, 2023, when New Orleans won 129-109.
That does not guarantee what will happen in the next game, but it gives the matchup useful context.
Lakers vs Pelicans: 2026-27 Team Comparison
Los Angeles Lakers
The 2026-27 Lakers are built around Luka Dončić, with Austin Reaves also playing an important role in the team’s perimeter attack. The roster has added size and defensive options, including center Walker Kessler, while players such as Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, and Ziaire Williams add additional wing depth.
JJ Redick remains the Lakers’ head coach. The team entered October 2026 with its regular-season campaign still ahead, so early-season performance will help determine how the new-look rotation develops.
Dončić is particularly important to this matchup because his ability to control the ball, create shots, and involve teammates can put pressure on a Pelicans defense from several areas of the court.
New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans enters the new season with Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, Herbert Jones, and Jordan Poole among its notable players. The roster also includes young players such as Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen.
Jamahl Mosley is the Pelicans’ head coach for the 2026-27 season. The roster combines established NBA players with younger talent, giving New Orleans several different ways to build its rotation.
Zion gives the Pelicans a powerful interior presence, while Murray can provide ball handling and playmaking. Murphy adds another important scoring and spacing option.
Key Players to Watch
Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves
For Los Angeles, Dončić is the obvious player to watch. His scoring and playmaking can force New Orleans to make difficult defensive choices.
Reaves is also important because he can create offense alongside Dončić. The Lakers have additional guards and wings, but their effectiveness can depend heavily on how well their primary creators organize the offense.
Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III
Zion’s ability to attack the paint gives New Orleans a different offensive challenge for the Lakers. His physical style can put pressure on defenders and create opportunities for teammates.
Trey Murphy III is another player to watch because his scoring gives New Orleans an important perimeter dimension. Dejounte Murray adds another layer as a ball handler and creator. The current Pelicans roster lists all three among the team’s core veteran options.
What Could Decide Lakers vs Pelicans?
Lakers’ Perimeter Creation
The Lakers can put significant pressure on a defense through Dončić and their collection of guards and wings. If Los Angeles consistently creates open looks and controls turnovers, it can make New Orleans defend for long stretches.
Pelicans’ Interior Pressure
New Orleans has a potential advantage when it can get into the paint. Zion’s strength and athleticism can change the way a defense protects the rim, while other Pelicans can benefit from the attention he attracts.
Rebounding and Defense
The matchup may also come down to possessions.
Offensive rebounds create second chances, while defensive rebounds prevent opponents from extending possessions. The Lakers’ addition of Walker Kessler gives them another significant interior defender and rebounder to monitor as the season develops.
Lakers vs Pelicans: Who Has the Edge?
Based strictly on recent head-to-head results, the Lakers have the clear edge. Los Angeles swept all four meetings in 2025-26 and owns a 54-28 regular-season record against the Pelicans franchise.
However, historical results should not be treated as a prediction for the December 2026 game. Rosters, injuries, coaching strategies, player development, and current form can all change the balance.
The most useful approach is to combine the historical advantage with the teams’ actual 2026-27 performance as the season progresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Lakers play the Pelicans?
The next scheduled Lakers vs Pelicans game is December 2, 2026, at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The Lakers’ 2026-27 schedule also lists another meeting with New Orleans later in December.
Who won the last Lakers vs Pelicans game?
The Lakers won the most recent meeting 110-101 on March 3, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. It was the fourth Lakers victory over New Orleans during the 2025-26 regular season.
What is the Lakers’ record against the Pelicans?
Through the 2025-26 regular season, the Lakers had a 54-28 regular-season record against the Pelicans franchise.
Where is Lakers vs Pelicans played?
The December 2, 2026 matchup is scheduled for Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, the home arena of the Pelicans.
Who are the key players in Lakers vs Pelicans?
For Los Angeles, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are major offensive pieces, with Walker Kessler providing an important interior presence. For New Orleans, Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, Jordan Poole, and Herbert Jones are among the notable players on the current roster.
Conclusion
The Lakers vs Pelicans matchup has developed into a one-sided regular-season series in recent years. Los Angeles won all four meetings in 2025-26 and owns a 54-28 regular-season advantage in the overall series through that season.
The next meeting on December 2, 2026, will provide a fresh test for both teams. With Luka Dončić leading the Lakers’ offensive attack and Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, and Trey Murphy III giving New Orleans several weapons, the matchup has plenty of individual and tactical storylines to follow.
I am Rana Fareed, an educator and content writer with an MPhil in Business Administration and an LLB (Law) degree. I write on current affairs, English language topics, and synonyms, simplifying complex ideas for everyday readers. Alongside teaching, I am passionate about helping people improve their knowledge and communication skills.
