The Los Angeles Lakers head to the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday night with momentum and a chance to keep climbing. At 22-11 and sitting third in the West, they meet the injury-hit New Orleans Pelicans (8-29) at 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT) in the third matchup of the season. The Lakers have taken both meetings so far — they put up 118 points in New Orleans on November 14 and won 133-121 in Los Angeles on December 30 — and arrive on a two-game win streak.

New Orleans needs a spark. The Pelicans have dropped seven straight, including a 125-106 loss to Miami and a 122-109 defeat to Portland. Still, they return home with a simple plan: compete hard, lean on Zion Williamson, and hope their defense gets a key boost before tip.

Form, stakes, and what we know

The Lakers have won three of their last four and are 15-3 against teams below .500. That is the mark of a team that takes care of business. They have the star power, the size, and a clear edge in late-game execution. New Orleans has struggled to keep pace in recent weeks and has been hit hard by injuries.

Even with all that, home court matters. As one team source put it, the Pelicans will have a puncher’s chance to cause an upset with homecourt advantage this time. If they hang around into the fourth, this could tighten up fast.

“If Herb Jones plays, this game looks totally different for New Orleans.“

Official injury report (as of 12:00 PM ET)

The league’s midday update confirmed several important absences and a few question marks.

Lakers injury report

• Austin Reaves: OUT (left calf strain, grade 2 gastrocnemius). Expected to miss multiple weeks.
• Rui Hachimura: OUT (right calf strain).
• Adou Thiero: OUT (right MCL sprain; timeline into late January).
• Gabe Vincent: QUESTIONABLE (lumbar back strain; out since Dec. 14).
• Drew Timme: OUT (concussion).

Team officials summed it up simply: the Lakers will remain without Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Adou Thiero. If Vincent is cleared, he offers steady ball-handling behind Luka Dončić and defense at the point of attack.

Pelicans injury report

• Saddiq Bey: OUT (right hip flexor soreness), third straight game.
• Dejounte Murray: OUT (right Achilles rupture; out since the start of the season).
• Herb Jones: QUESTIONABLE (right ankle sprain since Dec. 22; has missed seven games). Without Jones, the Pelicans are 1-14 this season.
• Trey Alexander: OUT (G League two-way).

Jones is the swing piece. He is New Orleans’ best wing defender and their emotional compass. If he sits, the Pelicans must patch together long stretches against Dončić and LeBron James with help and hope.

“No Herb, no stops — it’s been the story of the Pelicans’ season.“

Projected lineups, roles and trends

Lakers starters: PG Luka Dončić, SG Marcus Smart, SF Jake LaRavia, PF LeBron James, C Deandre Ayton.

Dončić is playing at an MVP clip at 35.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 8.0 assists. LeBron’s scoring has been listed around the high 20s with strong all-around numbers (some logs show 28.5 PTS, 8.0 REB, 8.0 AST, others closer to 21.2 PTS, 6 AST). LaRavia has stepped up on the wing at 23.5 points and 7.0 boards, while Smart adds perimeter defense and 9.5 points. Ayton’s line varies by source but sits roughly between 9.5–14.0 points and 7–8 rebounds. If Vincent is available, he joins a bench that includes Nick Smith Jr., Bronny James, Jarred Vanderbilt, rookie scorer Dalton Knecht, Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber. (Timme remains out.)

Pelicans core: Zion Williamson (23.5 PTS, 6.5 REB) is the focal point. Rookie guard Jeremiah Fears (19.5 PTS) brings punch, Jordan Poole (12.0 PTS, 7.0 AST) offers shot creation, and Trey Murphy III (13.5 PTS) is the spacer who can heat up from deep. Karlo Matković (10 PTS) gives size and activity up front. If Jones plays, he likely takes the first crack at Dončić and toggles onto LeBron on switches; if he sits, New Orleans must lean on team defense and live with tough makes.

Three keys to the game

1) Point of attack vs star creation

Dončić organizes everything for the Lakers. Jones is the one Pelicans defender who can bother him for long stretches without constant help. If Jones can’t go, New Orleans will need early traps and fast rotations, which opens corner threes for LA’s wings.

2) Frontcourt power

Zion vs LeBron is a must-watch. LeBron’s strength at the four spot creates easy switches and cuts. Zion’s rim pressure forces fouls and long closeouts. The rebounding battle with Ayton and Matković could swing extra possessions.

3) The three-ball and pace

The total sits at 243.5, which suggests a fast game with lots of scoring. If Murphy and Poole hit early threes, the Pelicans can hang. If LA controls tempo and gets to their half-court sets, their size and late-game execution should carry.

“Lakers are 15-3 vs losing teams — this is where good teams build their seed.“

Odds, trends and what they imply

The line sits at Lakers -6.5. That price reflects the gap in form and health. Los Angeles has won three of four and both head-to-head games this season, scoring 118 in the first meeting and 133 in the second. New Orleans, on the other hand, has dropped seven in a row.

The big question baked into the number: Herb Jones. Books respect his impact. The Pelicans are 1-14 without Jones this season. If he is ruled in, the spread could tighten before tip. If he’s out, Los Angeles may see more money at the window.

Schedule watch and fatigue factors

This is a home spot for the Pelicans before they hit the road again, including a back-to-back that features the Hawks. If they chase the game early, legs could go late. The Lakers, with two wins since Jan. 2 (128-121 and 120-xx over Memphis on Jan. 4), are managing minutes well and should feel fresh.

Bottom line

New Orleans needs defense to keep this close, and that likely means they need Herb Jones to suit up. Zion will get his downhill chances, and the home crowd should help. But the Lakers have been consistent against struggling teams, carry the better form, and have star answers in Dončić and LeBron for the game’s biggest moments.

Expect a spirited Pelicans push, a big night from at least one Lakers star, and swings around that lofty total. If Jones plays, this could be tight into the fourth. If he doesn’t, the matchup tilts clearly toward Los Angeles.

All injury statuses are from the official NBA report as of 12:00 PM ET on Jan. 6.