Ryan Forces OT, Lakers Rally for 120–117 Win Over Pelicans

Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Ryan (37) shoots and make a 3-point shot to send the game to overtime as New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, on Nov. 2, 2022. Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo

LOS ANGELES—Matt Ryan hit a tying 3-pointer at the regulation buzzer, Lonnie Walker made a key 3-pointer in overtime while scoring 28 points, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the New Orleans Pelicans 120–117 Wednesday night, Nov. 2, for their second straight victory after an 0–5 start to the season.

Anthony Davis had 20 points and 16 rebounds for the Lakers, who blew a 16-point lead and appeared to be finished before Dyson Daniels’ two missed free throws with 1.4 seconds left in regulation allowed the Lakers to run one last play.

Austin Reaves made a crosscourt pass to Ryan, and the undrafted newcomer who surprisingly made the Lakers’ roster last month drilled a fallaway 3 in front of their bench to force OT. Ryan, who made his NBA debut with one game for Boston last season, is playing rotation minutes for the Lakers because of his outside shooting stroke.

Walker’s early 3-pointer put the Lakers ahead for good in overtime. C.J. McCollum’s jumper trimmed the Lakers’ lead to three points with 37 seconds left, but McCollum missed a potential tying 3-pointer with 6.7 seconds remaining, and the Pelicans couldn’t foul before the buzzer.

Lonnie Walker IV (4) of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts a layup in front of Zion Williamson (1), Trey Murphy III (25), Jonas Valanciunas (17) and CJ McCollum (3) of the New Orleans Pelicans during a Lakers overtime win at Crypto.com Arena, in Los Angeles, on Nov. 2, 2022. Harry How/Getty Images

LeBron James had 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Lakers. Russell Westbrook had 13 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in another solid game as a reserve, although he was on the bench down the stretch and in overtime.

Zion Williamson scored 27 points and McCollum had 22 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the Pelicans, who dropped to 4–3.

Williamson scored 14 points in the fourth quarter and led the Pelicans to a three-point lead in the final minute of regulation. New Orleans appeared to have it wrapped up when Larry Nance Jr. dunked with 7.8 seconds to play and Walker missed a tying 3-point attempt—but Daniels’ misses opened the door for the heroics of Ryan, who went 3 for 9 on 3-point attempts.

Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers grabs a rebound above Zion Williamson (1) of the New Orleans Pelicans and Patrick Beverley (21) during a Lakers overtime win at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, on Nov. 2, 2022. Harry How/Getty Images

Playing as a reserve for the 21st time in his 1,027-game NBA career, Westbrook catalyzed an impressive 17–2 Lakers run in the final three minutes of the first half for a 56–44 halftime lead. New Orleans still erased a 60–44 deficit in the third quarter with 12 points from McCollum.

Tip–Ins

Pelicans: Herb Jones missed his fourth straight game with his hyperextended right knee, but coach Willie Green expects him back Friday. ... High-scoring F Brandon Ingram stayed home and missed his fourth straight game in the concussion protocol, but Green said the former Lakers star is “working. He’s progressing. We hope to have him back soon.” ... Daniels played despite a left ankle sprain.

Lakers: Davis played his second straight game after missing his first game of the season due to his balky back. Coach Darvin Ham praised the eight-time All-Star selection’s toughness in his third season of frequent injury woes: “His back situation is something we definitely need to manage, but it’s something that’s not going to worsen with with he’s doing.”

Up Next

Pelicans: Host Warriors on Friday. 5:30 p.m. PT.

Lakers: Host Jazz on Friday, 7:30 p.m. PT.

By Greg Beacham