LeBron James' triple-double lifts Lakers over Pelicans and into a play-in rematch with New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — LeBron James closed out his 21st NBA regular season looking invigorated, formidable on both ends of the court and ready to produce in the postseason.

James had 28 points, 17 assists, 11 rebounds and five steals, and the Los Angeles Lakers claimed the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 124-108 victory over New Orleans on Sunday that dropped the Pelicans out of a coveted top-six seeding.

“I just want to win. So, whatever the game presents itself for me to be," said James, who also serves as a primary defender on Pelicans star power forward Zion Williamson. "I am a Swiss army knife. I’ve got to do it all on the floor, but none of it is predetermined.”

Anthony Davis had 30 points and 11 rebounds against the team that made him the first overall NBA draft choice in 2012 to help set up a rematch on Tuesday night in the same arena in the conference play-in.

Davis, who asked out of the game in the final minutes and walked gingerly back to the locker room holding his lower back, said his back “locked up” when he was shoved from behind while in the air, but added that his ailment was “nothing concerning.”

“There’s no doubt that I’m going to play" in Tuesday's play-in game, Davis said. "Get some massages, get some treatment, just keep it loose. Just see how I feel over the next 36 hours and be ready.”

James' triple-double was his fifth this season and his playmaking helped spearhead a dominant performance in the paint, where Los Angeles outscored New Orleans 68-42.

“They got whatever they wanted in the paint,” Williamson said. "They dominated us in the paint.

James said he set out to “read the game and just find my teammates.”

“Just try to put the ball on time and on target for either jump shots or guys at the rim,” James added. "Just trying to be very efficient with my play.”

James also helped hold Williamson, who averages a Pelicans-leading 23 points per game, to 12 points.

“He’s a beast. It’s almost impossible to stop him," James said of Williamson. "So, just try to keep a body on him and just try to make it tough on him.”

Williamson, meanwhile, criticized himself for “being too passive.”

“I don't think I was super aggressive the whole game,” he said.

Austin Reaves scored 20 points and D'Angelo Russell scored 19 for the Lakers, who won eight of their final 11 regular-season games.

CJ McCollum scored 23 for the Pelicans, who were coming off a four-game road winning streak and welcomed high-scoring wing Brandon Ingram back into the lineup, only to fall flat at home while trying to lock up a No. 6 seed and avoid the play-in.

Instead, the matchup was reminiscent of the NBA In-Season Tournament semifinal in Las Vegas in December, when the Lakers embarrassed the Pelicans 133-89.

“They punched us right in the mouth and they kept going,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “We let a really good opportunity slip away.”

Ingram, who had missed the previous 12 games with a left knee contusion, scored 13 points. Herb Jones added 18 points for New Orleans.

After Ingram's 3 pulled the Pelicans to 28-24 at the first-quarter horn, the Lakers went to the foul line because of an apparent officiating error.

Official John Goble announced that Los Angeles mistakenly was not granted free throws on the Pelicans' second foul in the last two minutes of the period. Taurean Prince made both.

The Lakers then opened the second quarter with Prince's driving layup to make it 32-24. A reverse layup by James then sparked a 9-0 run to make it 41-26.

While New Orleans was missing 14 of its first 19 from deep, the Lakers were snagging long rebounds and converting in transition.

Reaves' 3-pointer and his breakaway dunk gave the Lakers their first 20-point lead at 53-33. Another Reaves 3 made it 70-53.

The Lakers opened the third period with a 3 by Reaves, two more from deep by Russell and a cutting dunk by Davis that made it 83-57.

Another Russell 3 gave the Lakers their largest lead at 91-59.

“We’ve got to regroup as a team because we’re here now," Williamson said. “We didn't get the result we wanted, but our confidence is still there.”

UP NEXT

It's a higher-stakes rematch in the same arena on Tuesday night, with the winner capturing the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs. The loser hosts another play-in game against the winner of a matchup between the ninth-seeded Sacramento Kings and 10th-seeded Golden State Warriors.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis goes to the basket in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Sunday, April 14, 2024. The Lakers won 124-108. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis goes to the basket in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Sunday, April 14, 2024. The Lakers won 124-108. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Sunday, April 14, 2024. The Lakers won 124-108. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Sunday, April 14, 2024. The Lakers won 124-108. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves to steal the ball from fallen New Orleans Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr. in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Sunday, April 14, 2024. The Lakers won 124-108. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) goes to the basket in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in New Orleans, Sunday, April 14, 2024. The Lakers won 124-108. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) shoots a 3-point shot in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson and guard Trey Murphy III (25) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) reacts after making a 3-point basket at the buzzer to end the first quarter during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in New Orleans, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) slam dunks in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) works the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) goes to the basket over New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) and forward Zion Williamson in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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NASCAR CUP SERIES

AdventHealth 400

Site: Kansas City, Kansas.

Schedule: Saturday, practice, 5:05 p.m., and qualifying, 5:50 p.m.; Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (FS1).

Track: Kansas Speedway.

Race distance: 267 laps, 400.5 miles.

Last year: Denny Hamlin won after starting eighth.

Last race: Hamlin held off a hard-charging Kyle Larson over the final, thrilling laps and wiggled through lapped traffic to win by about a quarter of a second Sunday at Dover.

Fast facts: The victory was the third of this season for Hamlin, tying William Byron for the most this year, and fourth if you count the exhibition race in Los Angeles. ... Hamlin led 136 of the 400 laps but remains just fourth in points, trailing Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports by 49, Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. by 18 and Hendrick's Chase Elliott by 16. ... Byron is sixth, 62 points behind Larson. ... Larson was second, followed by Truex., Kyle Busch and Elliott. ... Hendrick drivers (five) and Gibbs drivers (four) have won nine of 11 races thus far. Ford remains winless through 11 races.

Next race: May 12, Darlington, South Carolina.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES

Last race: Ryan Truex won at Dover for the second straight year, giving the younger brother of Martin Truex Jr. the only NASCAR victories of his career. He now has two wins in 194 career starts over the three national series.

Next race: May 11, Darlington, South Carolina.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR TRUCK SERIES

Heart of America 200

Site: Kansas City, Kansas.

Schedule: Saturday, practice, 12:05 p.m., qualifying, 12:35 p.m., and race, 8 p.m. (FS1).

Track: Kansas Speedway.

Race distance: 134 laps, 201 miles.

Last year: Grant Enfinger won after starting 11th.

Last race: Kyle Busch overcame a series of late restarts and led 112 of 167 laps to win for the sixth time in the truck series at Texas and the 20th time overall on the 1.5-mile layout.

Fast facts: Points leader Christian Eckes and non-title contender Kyle Busch are the lone multiple race winners through seven events. ... Eckes leads Corey Heim by two points and Ty Majeski by 12 in the points race. ... Heim is the only driver to have finished in the Top 10 in all seven races. He also leads with five top-five finishes.

Next race: May 10, Darlington, South Carolina.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

FORMULA ONE

Miami Grand Prix

Site: Miami Gardens, Florida.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sprint, 4 p.m., and qualifying, 4 p.m.; Sunday, race 4 p.m. (ESPN).

Track: Miami International Autodrome.

Race distance: 57 laps, 191.584 miles.

Last year: Max Verstappen won after starting ninth.

Last race: Verstappen, the three-time defending champion, started from pole for his fourth victory in five races this season and his 23rd in the last 27 extending through last season.

Fast facts: Verstappen has started on the pole in all five races this year. ... He's led 202 of the 219 laps he's raced. ... Carlos Sainz Jr. won the only race Verstappen didn't.

Next race: May 19, Imola, Italy.

Online: http://www.formula1.com

INDYCAR

Last race: Scott McLaughlin won his second straight race at Barber Motorsports Park, giving Team Penske a much-needed triumph just days after IndyCar erased Josef Newgarden's victory and disqualified McLaughlin from the season opener.

Next race: May 11, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Online: http://www.indycar.com

NHRA DRAG RACING

Last event: Justin Ashley won in Top Fuel and Matt Hagan won in Funny Car in Concord.

Next event: May 19, Elwood, Illinois.

Online: http://www.nhra.com

WORLD OF OUTLAWS

Next events: May 1, Jacksonville, Illinois; May 3 & 4, Rossburg, Ohio.

Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars

This story deletes reference to Xfinity racing in Kansas.

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Denny Hamlin, front left, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Dover Motor Speedway, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Dover Motor Speedway, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Dover Motor Speedway, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)