9. November 27th, 2019, Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans – AD’s first game back in New Orleans
Any time a star player revisits a former team it becomes a big game and creates headlines for the media, especially if the player forces their way out, as Davis did. That is the main reason why this game makes the list, because this was the first game AD played in New Orleans since he was traded in the offseason, and he wanted to prove the Lakers made the right decision.
He answered the call in a big way, scoring 41 points, and racking up nine rebounds, three steals, and a block to go along with it. It was one of his best games of the season, and it had to feel good coming against the team that drafted him and employed him for seven seasons.
Out of all the former Lakers, Brandon Ingram made the most impact for the Pelicans with a stat line of 23 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks. Yet I do not think any Lakers fans were regretting trading him for Davis on this night.
This is another game that the Lakers were supposed to win, but this was definitely a game the Pelicans had circled on their schedule and desperately wanted to win. This was one of the Lakers first wake up calls of the season, showing that they were truly going to get every opposing team’s best game, barely squeaking out a 114 to 110 victory.