The Los Angeles Lakers got the win, but if you watched the game, you can easily see that the film tells a different story. A 111–103 escape against an 8–30 Pelicans team ended with more questions than answers.
One of the big players in the game was an unlikely one, as Yves Missi gave the Lakers' centers all they could handle.
Yves Missi exposes a fragile frontcourt
In just 16 minutes, Missi exposed something the Lakers have been trying to outrun all season. Their center depth is not just thin, it is fragile. Eight points, seven rebounds, five on the offensive glass, and a put-back dunk for a guy who can barely scrape 5 points.
Missi came into this game averaging just 5.2 points and 5.2 rebounds on the season. Yet he finished with nearly as many offensive rebounds as the Lakers did. New Orleans grabbed 14 second-chance boards overall. Missi had five by himself. That does not happen by accident.
Behind Deandre Ayton, the Lakers are playing with fire. Jaxson Hayes logged the same 16 minutes and pulled down only three rebounds. Three. For a backup center. Hayes has his moments, as he can run the floor, he can catch lobs, and Luka Doncic and LeBron James know how to find him. But when the game turns physical and possessions start to matter, his limitations show quickly.
Missi did not just outplay him. He overwhelmed him. Ayton remains a swing piece. When he is involved, he can control space and finish efficiently. When teams succeed in keeping him out of rhythm, his impact fades. That has been a recurring theme this season.
When that kind of thing happens, the Lakers have no safety net. There is no second big man who can steady things, protect the paint, or clean the glass.
The Pelicans took full advantage. They scored 56 points in the paint and dictated terms inside for long stretches. Even rookie Derik Queen filled the box score with 10 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists. That kind of production from role players is usually a sign of a defensive breakdown, not a fluke.
Yes, the Lakers closed the game. They have been strong late, and that deserves credit. But this never should have been close. Against a struggling New Orleans team, Los Angeles found itself in another clutch situation because it could not control the interior.
Trade rumors have centered on wings, and for good reason. But games like this make something else clear. If the Lakers are serious about a deep postseason run, they need another center who can defend, rebound, and survive playoff minutes.