The LA Lakers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 110-106 in a difficult and tense game corresponding to the NBA Play-In to secure their ticket to the Playoffs.
The Lakers, who will be the seventh seed in the Western Conference, will face a new duel in the first round against the Denver Nuggets (2nd).
In the Playoffs a year ago, Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets swept the Lakers 4-0 in the Western Finals on their way to the first ring in their history.
At 39 years old, LeBron had 23 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists but, exhausted in the final stretch, he left the spotlight to Anthony Davis (20 points and 15 rebounds) and D’Angelo Russell (21 points and 6 assists).
Between all of them, they managed to neutralize the exhibition of Zion Williamson, who had 40 points and 11 rebounds and commanded a comeback from an 18-point deficit with which the Pelicans forced a heart-stopping close.
But Williamson, who was fighting to qualify for his first playoffs, retired to the locker room with three minutes left when the game was tied at 95.
The Lakers took advantage of it to certify the victory with several key actions by Davis and a decisive triple by Russell with 51 seconds left. The Pelicans will have a second and final chance to advance to the postseason on Friday.
Their rival will be the winner of the second play-in game this Tuesday between the Sacramento Kings and Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors, whose loser will be eliminated.