Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with guard Max Christie (12) after making a 3-point basket in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in New Orleans, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. The Lakers won 104-99. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

NEW ORLEANS — Anthony Davis had 31 points and 14 rebounds and the Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to five games with a 104-99 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.

LeBron James highlighted a 21-point performance with a pair of pivotal 3-pointers in the final minutes, but his career-long four-game triple-double streak came to an end.

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Rookie Dalton Knecht hit five 3s to finish with a career-high 27 points in a spot start for the Lakers.

READ: LeBron, Davis lead Lakers past Spurs to open NBA Cup defense

5 STRAIGHT WINS FOR LA 🔥

AD: 31 PTS, 14 REB
Knecht: 27 PTS (career high), 5 3PM, 7 REB
LeBron: 21 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST@Lakers 📈 pic.twitter.com/8K9kuJZphb

— NBA (@NBA) November 17, 2024

One night after posting 40 points and 12 rebounds in a victory at San Antonio, Davis reached the 30-point plateau for the eighth time in 12 games played this season.

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Brandon Ingram scored 32 points, and reserve Jaylen Nowell scored 16 points for the Pelicans, who’ve lost 10 of their last 12 games.

Takeaways

Lakers: Cam Reddish (lower right leg) did not play after leaving Friday night’s game in San Antonio earlier than usual. … Austin Reaves scored 10 points but missed seven of nine 3-point shots.

Pelicans: Although forward Trey Murphy III was given the night off as he works his way back from a preseason hamstring injury, injury-depleted New Orleans kept the game competitive with grit and energy. Despite having just 10 players in uniform, the Pelicans led 56-46 at halftime but couldn’t quite get the win.

READ: NBA: LeBron James triple-double leads Lakers past Grizzlies

Key moment

Right after a clutch 3 by Ingram gave the Pelicans a late two-point lead, James responded with consecutive 3s to put the Lakers up 101-97 with 37 seconds left.

Key stat

The Lakers outscored the Pelicans in the paint, 52-40.

Up next

The Lakers return to NBA Cup action at home against Utah on Tuesday night, the same night the Pelicans also resume NBA Cup group play at Dallas.