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.”

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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)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Beginning with Tyler Seguin on a breakaway, the shots came in waves at Vegas goalie Adin Hill.

He stopped Seguin at point blank, saved Joe Pavelski's rebound and then stopped Seguin again.

This was the Hill of last year's Stanley Cup championship run, and because of him the Golden Knights kept alive their hopes of repeating by beating the Dallas Stars 2-0 on Friday night to force a Game 7.

“You need to make big saves at big times in big games,” Hill said. “That's how you win playoff games. I think our team learned that last year, and any team that's won, their goalies had to catch fire at times.”

The deciding game in the first-round series is Sunday in Dallas.

Hill stopped 23 shots for first shutout since having two in three games in early November. Noah Hanifin broke a scoreless tie at 9:54 of the third period and Mark Stone scored an empty-netter from 176 feet away with 18.9 seconds left to seal the victory.

This was the second winning goal this series for Hanifin, who was a trade-deadline acquisition from Calgary.

“Ever since I got traded here, I was super excited about the opportunity coming to a team with guys that have won,” Hanifin said. “It's a great culture here and I'm fortunate to be a part of it. I feel good about my game and I'm trying to contribute whichever way I can.”

This was a classic goalie duel, with Hill looking like the player who went 11-4 with a .932 save percentage and 2.17 goals goals allowed per game in last year's playoffs. But Hill had been up and down late in this season, and Logan Thompson got the starting job in the series' first four games.

The Knights turned to Hill for Game 5 in their 3-2 loss and then again for this one.

“At the end of the year, Adin was feeling pretty good about this game,” Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “You could see it in practice. It was just pucks were finding their way in. ... He should have confidence. He just pitched a shutout and made some really high-end saves.”

On the other side, Jake Oettinger made 28 saves and entered the game without giving up a goal in this series in the third period or overtime. Hanifin's goal ended Oettinger's streak at 60 saves.

“I would've like to have shut it down tonight, but now that we're in this position, that's why we played so well during the regular season to get Game 7 at home if it comes to that,” Oettinger said. “The ball's in our court. We're on home ice, and now it's on us to take care of business.”

There are numbers that favor either side going into Game 7.

Vegas took a 2-0 lead in this series, and the Knights are 4-0 when holding such an advantage. The Stars have never overcome such a deficit in the nine previous tries since moving to Dallas. NHL teams overall are 351-55 when given that early lead.

But no team has been able to solve Stars coach Pete DeBoer in a seventh game. He is 7-0.

“There's nothing better than Game 7s,” DeBoer said. “That's what you grew up dreaming about playing and the second-best thing is coaching in them.”

This game had electricity from the beginning, both teams missing major scoring opportunities with the tension building as the game progressed. The Golden Knights added some star touches with recording artist Shania Twain cranking the horn before the game and James Holzhauer of Jeopardy fame doing it before the third.

The Golden Knights, as expected given the circumstances, came out flying, living in the Stars' offensive zone early on. Dallas didn't get its first shot on goal until 7:45 into the game, but the Knights failed to cash in on several chances, including a point-blank opportunity by Nicolas Roy and a shot from Keegan Kolesar that went off the post to keep the game scoreless in the first period.

The game remained that way through the second period, but it wasn't for a lack of action. In addition to Hill's three spectacular saves during that one sequence, he later received an assist from Stone, who cleared the puck from the goal line. Logan Stankoven missed an open net for the Stars, and Vegas' Jonathan Marchessault had a shot from the left circle that William Karlsson tipped that caused the crowd to believe the puck went into the net.

Hanifin finally broke through, with his unassisted wrister from the right circle.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) blocks a shot by Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) during the second period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, May 3, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) blocks a shot attempt by the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, May 3, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) blocks a shot by the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, May 3, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson (21) and Vegas Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) vie for the puck during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, May 3, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) attempts a shot on Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) during the second period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, May 3, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell (23) knocks down Vegas Golden Knights left wing William Carrier (28) during the second period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, May 3, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) celebrates after scoring against the Dallas Stars during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, May 3, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Vegas Golden Knights celebrate after a goal by Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, May 3, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Vegas Golden Knights celebrate after a goal by Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, May 3, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin, left, celebrates after scoring against the Dallas Stars during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, May 3, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone, right, celebrates after scoring against the Dallas Stars during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, May 3, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)