Update: James logged 23 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in Tuesday’s 110-106 win over the Pelicans, making in the third time in three chances the King has won the first play-in game. The Lakers are now the No. 7 seed once again, and will play the defending champions Nuggets in the first round in a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals.
The NBA play-in tournament will begin on Tuesday with the 7-8 game in the Western Conference as the New Orleans Pelicans play host to the Los Angeles Lakers. The winner will advance to the West playoff bracket to face the Denver Nuggets as the No. 7 seed, while the loser will face the the 9-10 winner for the No. 8 seed on Friday.
LeBron James and the Lakers have become regulars in the play-in tournament since the current format was introduced in 2021. And so far, things have worked out for them as they’ve handled handled their business with a 2-0 record.
In 2021, the Lakers edged the Golden State Warriors 103-100 with a late James three being the difference. He posted a triple-double in that victory, delivering 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. That team would go on to lose to the eventual Western Conference champions Phoenix Suns in six games in the first round.
In 2023, James and the Lakers were able to survive a 108-102 overtime thriller against the Minnesota Timberwolves to once again claim the No. 7 seed. He once again stepped up with a big effort, dropping 30 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. The Lakers were then able to make a run to the Western Conference Finals before getting swept by the Nuggets. Denver went on to win the NBA title.