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Los Angeles Lakers comeback falls short vs New Orleans Pelicans

By Kenneth Teape

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 22: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers fight for a rebound during the first half at Staples Center October 22, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 22: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers fight for a rebound during the first half at Staples Center October 22, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers were knocked off by the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday evening at the STAPLES Center.

The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night at the STAPLES Center 119-112. While a loss is always disappointing, Luke Walton has to be happy that his young team never gave up and kept playing hard to the final whistle.

The Pelicans held a lead for almost the whole game. They led by as many as 22 points, as they were running the Lakers out of the STAPLES Center for almost three quarters. Then, Walton hit on a lineup that clicked and the comeback was on.

The Lakers would rip off a 29-6 run to take the lead for the first time all game with 7:54 remaining in the fourth quarter. Jordan Clarkson was a catalyst for the Lakers, as he has provided excellent energy and hustle off the bench. He scored 24 points with five assists in 26 minutes played to provide a spark with the second unit.

Along with Clarkson, the Lakers received great production from the much-maligned Julius Randle and upstart rookie Kyle Kuzma.

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Randle had looked slow and uninterested the first two games of the season, but looked engaged tonight and helped get the Lakers the lead. Randle finished the game with 11 points, two rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks, also providing some strong defense on the interior.

Kuzma was once again a scoring machine. He poured in 20 points in 30 minutes, shooting 7-of-13 from the field, including 2-of-6 from deep. He also added six rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope made his Lakers debut tonight, and he provided a spark as well. He scored 20 points to lead all the starters, shooting 7-of-11 from the field, knocking down two three-pointers.

The biggest problem the Lakers had was on the interior, where Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins dominated. Both were dominant at times in the game, as they were too much for the Lakers to handle.

Cousins scored 22 points with 11 rebounds, eight assists and two blocks, but was forced into six turnovers. Davis scored 27 points with 17 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and three steals as he was a force on both ends of the court.

They were key factors in the Lakers comeback coming up short. The Pelicans ended the game on a 13-2 run, which buried the Lakers comeback, giving New Orleans their first win of the season.

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The Lakers will look to get back into the win column on Wednesday night when they host the Washington Wizards at the STAPLES Center.

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