LeBron James Scores 40 Points as Lakers Beat Zion Williamson’s New Orlean Pelicans

When two of NBA’s top talents went head to head it was always going to be a battle to behold and after this clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans it’s clear that LeBron James got first blood from this first-time battle with rookie Zion Williamson.

The Lakers, now 44-12, were always favorite to overcome a Pelicans side who are 25-33, but the real draw for this encounter was LeBron vs Zion and both players excelled at the Staples Center.

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LeBron James scored a season best 40 points, including 16 in the third quarter, to help the Lakers to a sixth straight win. However that shouldn’t detract from Williamson’s efforts, the youngster bagging 29 points in his first match-up with the Lakers.

The Pelicans are now three games off the playoff picture and need to get their game back in gear if they are going to enjoy the postseason action. 

Williamson has received a great deal of praise since his return from a knee injury that ruled him out of the first 44 matches of the season. The first-round draft pick has gone on to top score for the Pelicans in six of their past ten games.

They now face a run of three games on their own patch, against the Lakers, Cavaliers and the Timberwolves, and they must put together a strong run to get back into the playoff picture.