Pelicans end 10-game losing streak in win vs. Lakers

Brandon Ingram had his best game since returning 10 days earlier from a nearly two-month injury absence, scoring 35 points to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to a 131-126 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

CJ McCollum had 23 points, highlighted by a late 3 to help New Orleans close out the final 3:14 on a 9-5 run that kept the Lakers at bay.

“We just continued to attack across the board,” said Pelicans coach Willie Green, whose team won for just the fourth time in 19 games.

 “Every guy on our team that touched the floor came in and played with force and played with confidence. That is what is going to take for us to get over the hump.”

James had 27 points to go with nine rebounds and six assists as he continued to close in on Abdul-Jabbar’s record total of 38,387 points.

James said trade deadline rumors should not distract the Lakers from what they need to do to win games.

 “It shouldn’t be an issue. The trade deadline happens every single year,” James said. “You go out and focus, no matter what happens. You’re still a professional.”

Lakers host Oklahoma City on Tuesday night while the Pelicans welcome Sacramento for the second night of a back-to-back.