The Pelicans vs Lakers matchup features the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers, two Western Conference NBA teams. The Lakers won all four meetings during the 2025-26 regular season. Their next scheduled meetings are December 2, December 14, and December 31, 2026, as part of the 2026-27 NBA season.
Key Takeaways
- The Lakers went 4-0 against the Pelicans during the 2025-26 regular season.
- The most recent meeting was March 3, 2026, when Los Angeles won 110-101.
- The Pelicans finished 2025-26 at 26-56, while the Lakers finished 53-29.
- Three Pelicans-Lakers games are currently listed for the 2026-27 regular season: December 2, December 14, and December 31.
- Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are among the key players for the current Lakers group, while Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III are important names on the Pelicans roster.
Pelicans vs Lakers: What Does the Matchup Mean?
Pelicans vs Lakers refers to an NBA matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers. Both teams compete in the Western Conference, so their regular-season games can be useful measuring points for each club.
The matchup also attracts attention because the teams have had very different recent results. In the completed 2025-26 regular season, Los Angeles finished fourth in the Western Conference with a 53-29 record, while New Orleans finished 11th at 26-56.
The 2026-27 season brings a new context. The Lakers enter the season without LeBron James for the first time since 2017-18, with Luka Dončić positioned as the team’s central star. NBA.com notes that Dončić led Los Angeles to 53 wins in 2025-26 and earned First Team All-NBA honors.
The Pelicans, meanwhile, have a roster featuring Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Jordan Poole, Herbert Jones, and other players, with additional offseason changes to the roster.
Pelicans vs Lakers Head-to-Head Record
The recent head-to-head numbers provide useful context for anyone searching for the Pelicans vs Lakers record.
During the 2025-26 regular season, Los Angeles won all four meetings:
| Date | Result |
| Nov. 14, 2025 | Lakers 118, Pelicans 104 |
| Nov. 30, 2025 | Lakers 133, Pelicans 121 |
| Jan. 6, 2026 | Lakers 111, Pelicans 103 |
| Mar. 3, 2026 | Lakers 110, Pelicans 101 |
These four results are listed in the NBA’s matchup history, with the March 3 game being the most recent meeting.
Across the broader regular-season history tracked by Stathead, the Lakers have also recorded more wins in this matchup.
Recent Pelicans vs Lakers Games
The most recent game took place on March 3, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The Lakers won 110-101 after trailing during the game. Los Angeles closed the contest with a major late surge, finishing on a 24-7 run over the final 6:43.
Luka Dončić led the Lakers with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. LeBron James added 21 points, while Austin Reaves finished with 15. For New Orleans, Zion Williamson scored 24 points.
The game was close for much of the night. New Orleans led after three quarters, but Los Angeles scored 34 points in the fourth quarter compared with 23 for the Pelicans.
That result completed a four-game Lakers sweep of the Pelicans during the 2025-26 regular season.
2026-27 Pelicans vs Lakers Schedule
The teams are scheduled to meet three times during the 2026-27 regular season, according to the currently published schedules.
| Date | Matchup | Location |
| Dec. 2, 2026 | Lakers at Pelicans | Smoothie King Center |
| Dec. 14, 2026 | Pelicans at Lakers | Crypto.com Arena |
| Dec. 31, 2026 | Lakers at Pelicans | Smoothie King Center |
The NBA’s published schedules list December 2 in New Orleans, December 14 in Los Angeles, and December 31 in New Orleans.
December 2, 2026
The first currently scheduled meeting is in New Orleans at Smoothie King Center. The Lakers are listed as the visiting team.
December 14, 2026
The second meeting moves to Los Angeles, with the Pelicans visiting the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. The game is currently listed for NBA TV.
December 31, 2026
The third scheduled meeting returns to New Orleans. The Lakers will visit the Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on December 31.
Because the 2026-27 regular season has not yet begun as of October 1, 2026, game results and final team records for this season are not available yet.
Pelicans vs Lakers Team Comparison
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans finished the 2025-26 season with a 26-56 record and did not qualify for the playoffs.
The current roster includes Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III, along with players such as Jordan Poole, Herbert Jones, Jordan Hawkins, and Derik Queen.
Trey Murphy III averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in the roster statistics currently displayed by NBA.com, while Zion Williamson averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists.
The Pelicans also made offseason additions, including Benedict Mathurin and Christian Koloko, while adding other players to their 2026-27 group.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers finished 2025-26 with a 53-29 record, fourth in the Western Conference, and reached the conference semifinals.
For 2026-27, the team is built around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. NBA.com describes Dončić as the Lakers’ centerpiece after his first full season with the franchise.
Los Angeles also re-signed Austin Reaves. In 51 games during 2025-26, Reaves averaged a career-high 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.
The Lakers also added several players during the offseason, including Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy, Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, Matisse Thybulle, and others.
Key Players to Watch
Pelicans Players
Zion Williamson: Williamson remains one of New Orleans’ most recognizable players and scored 24 points in the most recent Lakers-Pelicans meeting.
Trey Murphy III: Murphy provides scoring and perimeter shooting and averaged 21.5 points per game in the roster statistics displayed by NBA.com.
Herbert Jones: Jones is another important two-way piece for New Orleans and has been part of the Pelicans’ core group.
Lakers Players
Luka Dončić: Dončić recorded 27 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in the latest meeting with New Orleans.
Austin Reaves: Reaves enters the 2026-27 season after a career-best scoring year and a new Lakers contract.
The Lakers’ 2026-27 roster also includes offseason additions that could change the team’s rotation and style compared with the previous season.
What Happened in the Last Meeting?
The last Pelicans vs Lakers game was played on March 3, 2026.
Los Angeles won 110-101. Dončić posted 27 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, while Williamson scored 24 for New Orleans. The Lakers overcame a fourth-quarter deficit and closed the game with a 24-7 run.
The result gave Los Angeles a 4-0 record against New Orleans during the 2025-26 regular season.
Pelicans vs Lakers FAQs
When is the next Pelicans vs Lakers game?
The next currently scheduled Pelicans-Lakers game is December 2, 2026, at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The Lakers will be the visiting team.
Who won the last Pelicans vs Lakers game?
The Lakers won the most recent matchup 110-101 on March 3, 2026. Luka Dončić led Los Angeles with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.
What is the recent Pelicans vs Lakers head-to-head record?
The Lakers went 4-0 against the Pelicans in the 2025-26 regular season. The four wins came on November 14, November 30, January 6, and March 3.
How many times will they play in 2026-27?
Three Pelicans-Lakers games are currently listed for the 2026-27 regular season: December 2, December 14, and December 31, 2026.
Did the Pelicans make the 2026 playoffs?
No. New Orleans finished the 2025-26 regular season 26-56, 11th in the Western Conference, and did not qualify for the playoffs.
Conclusion
The Pelicans vs Lakers matchup combines two Western Conference teams heading into the 2026-27 NBA season with different recent records. Los Angeles won all four meetings in 2025-26, while New Orleans finished the season 26-56.
For the new season, the teams are scheduled to meet three times, beginning December 2 in New Orleans. The December 14 game will be in Los Angeles, followed by another New Orleans matchup on December 31.
As the 2026-27 season develops, those games will provide new results to add to the growing Pelicans-Lakers head-to-head history.
