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Keel Stats

Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans: preview and player stats (Dec 31, 2026)

Regular season8:00 PM

Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans

Los Angeles Lakers
New Orleans Pelicans

Smoothie King Center · New Orleans, LA

Head to head: Lakers vs Pelicans, series and next game

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Matchup preview

This season before the game

Matchup odds

No moneylines yet.

Who wins?

LAL

Season leaders, per game

NOP
The teams side by side: Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans compared, with league ranks
LALStatNOP
11–2Record4–9
Offense
7.8(better), 6th in the leagueNet rating25th in the league, -8.7
119.8(better), 1st in the leagueOffensive rating18th in the league, 110.5
102.0, 7th in the leaguePace4th in the league, 102.9
58.7(better), 1st in the leagueeFG%21st in the league, 52.1
14.3, 26th in the leagueTOV%20th in the league, 13.8(better)
29.3(better), 10th in the leagueOREB%24th in the league, 24.5
0.356, 3rd in the leagueFT rate1st in the league, 0.372(better)
Defense
112.0(better), 17th in the leagueDefensive rating29th in the league, 119.2
54.3(better), 19th in the leagueOpp. eFG%28th in the league, 57.2
15.5(better), 2nd in the leagueOpp. TOV%15th in the league, 12.9
68.7, 28th in the leagueDREB%17th in the league, 72.5(better)
0.328(better), 25th in the leagueOpp. FT rate27th in the league, 0.345

This season's meetings

They have not met this season.

Injury report

Los Angeles Lakers

  • Austin ReavesDay to day· back Nov 15Report updated ·
    Report note

    Reaves (heel) didn't participate in Saturday's practice, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports. Reaves sustained a bruised left heel in Wednesday's win over Milwaukee and is considered day-to-day, though this update is not encouraging ahead of Sunday's game against Phoenix. If the 28-year-old guard is unable to suit up, Ziaire Williams, Quentin Grimes (finger) and Collin Sexton (head) would be candidates for increased playing time.

  • Quentin GrimesDay to day· back Nov 15Report updated ·
    Report note

    Grimes (finger) said he expects to return to action Sunday against the Suns, according to Ricardo Sandoval of Lakers on SI. Grimes has missed the Lakers' last two games, but it sounds as if he could return to the rotation Sunday. It's unclear whether he'd be a starter, but he'd have a chance if Austin Reaves (heel) isn't cleared. Grimes is averaging 8.0 points per game this season, but that number rises to 17.5 points per game in his two starts.

  • Collin SextonDay to day· back Nov 15Report updated ·
    Report note

    Sexton (head) was a full participant in Saturday's practice, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports. Sexton left Wednesday's game against Milwaukee early after bumping heads with Ryan Rollins and required stitches to close a cut on his forehead. However, Sexton escaped the incident without a concussion, and his ability to practice without restraint is a positive sign for his availability Sunday against the Suns.

New Orleans Pelicans

  • Trey Murphy IIIOut· back Nov 16Report updated ·
    Report note

    Injury/Illness - Bilateral Patellar Tendinopathy (2026-11-14, DEN@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-14): Murphy (knees) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Nuggets. Murphy will miss a fourth straight game as he continues to battle bilateral patellar tendinopathy. His next opportunity to return to the court will come Monday against the Warriors. Saddiq Bey should continue to work in an elevated role in the meantime.

  • Dejounte MurrayOut· back Nov 20Report updated ·
    Report note

    Injury/Illness - Left Ankle Sprain (2026-11-14, DEN@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-13): Murray (ankle) is out for Friday's game against Memphis. This was the expectation after the star guard requested a trade from the Pelicans earlier Friday. Given his standing with the club, Murray can be tentatively considered doubtful for future contests while New Orleans tries to find him another home.

  • Yves MissiProbable· back Nov 14Report updated ·
    Report note

    Injury/Illness - Left Knee Contusion / Bone Bruise (2026-11-14, DEN@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-14): Missi (knee) has been upgraded to probable for Saturday's game versus the Nuggets. A bone bruise in Missi's left knee has kept him on the sidelines since Oct. 23, though he appears likely to end his 11-game stretch of absences Saturday.

  • Bryce McGowensOut· back Nov 16Report updated ·
    Report note

    Injury/Illness - Left Elbow Infection (2026-11-14, DEN@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-14): McGowens (elbow) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Nuggets. McGowens will miss his second game in as many days while continuing to deal with a left elbow infection. He'll have another chance to return to action Monday against the Warriors.

  • Julian ReeseQuestionableReport updated ·
    Report note

    G League - Two-Way (2026-11-14, DEN@NOP).

  • Trendon WatfordOut· back Nov 16Report updated ·
    Report note

    Injury/Illness - Right Ankle Sprain (2026-11-14, DEN@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-14): Watford (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Denver. Watford will miss a fourth consecutive game Saturday due to a right ankle sprain, and it remains unknown how far away he is from returning.

  • Jaron Pierre Jr.ProbableReport updated ·
    Report note

    G League - Two-Way (2026-11-14, DEN@NOP).

  • Malik DiaQuestionableReport updated ·
    Report note

    G League - Two-Way (2026-11-14, DEN@NOP).

Key players · LAL: Los Angeles Lakers key players: season averages and the last 5 games
PlayerMINPTSREBAST
Luka Doncic35.938.67.57.6
Austin Reaves35.324.73.34.7
Walker Kessler30.814.510.81.8
Quentin Grimes26.18.02.52.5
Jake LaRavia24.55.64.02.2
Key players · NOP: New Orleans Pelicans key players: season averages and the last 5 games
PlayerMINPTSREBAST
Trey Murphy III32.815.64.83.6
Zion Williamson32.821.85.32.8
Dejounte Murray31.413.44.64.4
Jeremiah Fears29.215.54.55.1
Saddiq Bey27.516.53.92.2

Last five games

Los Angeles Lakers: Los Angeles Lakers: last five games
DateOpponentResultSpreadTotal
Nov 11 @ MILWon 123–112−14.5, did not cover230.5, went over
Nov 9 @ ATLWon 124–114+2.5, covered234.5, went over
Nov 8 @ DETWon 121–116+7.5, covered217.5, went over
Nov 6 vs PORWon 124–118−3.5, covered231.5, went over
Nov 4 @ SACWon 116–103−12.5, covered233.5, went under
New Orleans Pelicans: New Orleans Pelicans: last five games
DateOpponentResultSpreadTotal
Nov 13 vs MEMLost 111–142+3.5, did not cover235.5, went over
Nov 11 vs BKNLost 111–145−2.5, did not cover228.5, went over
Nov 9 @ GSWLost 87–138+11.5, did not cover228.5, went under
Nov 8 @ LACLost 123–139−1.5, did not cover226.5, went over
Nov 6 vs MINLost 109–115+3.5, did not cover230.5, went under

Standings

Full standings
Western Conference
Team
1SAS112.846–10-0
2LAL112.846–8-2
3HOU103.76917-3
4POR93.7501.57-3
10DAL75.5833.56-4
11PHX56.45555-5
12NOP49.30874-6
13LAC38.27372-8
14SAC111.0839.51-9

12 more injury costs and matchups — with Pro

Pro

What each absence costs in Keel Impact, the key players’ last five games, each defense by position and both teams against the line — with Pro

See plans

The box score appears at tip-off.

Season series

LAL 0, NOP 0
  1. Dec 2Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans
  2. Dec 14New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Lakers
  3. Dec 31 · this gameLos Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans

Before and after

Los Angeles Lakers
New Orleans Pelicans

This week’s games

NBA schedule: every team