Lakers vs. Pelicans live score, updates, highlights from 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament semifinal

The stage is set in Las Vegas, and the Lakers and Pelicans will meet with a trip to the In-Season Tournament Championship on the line.

Los Angeles has posted a perfect 5-0 record up to this point in the tournament, punching its ticket to the Semifinals with a thrilling 106-103 victory over Phoenix. In the victory, LeBron James again defied Father Time with 31 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and five steals while Anthony Davis finished with 27 points and 15 rebounds.

New Orleans, the lone team to earn a road win in the Quarterfinals, made its way to Vegas after an impressive come-from-behind victory in Sacramento. After trailing by 15 points early on, the Pelicans rode the hot hand of Brandon Ingram while receiving all-around contributions from CJ McCollum, Jonas Valanciunas, Herbert Jones and Zion Williamson to leave the Golden 1 Center with a 10-point victory.

With three former No. 1 overall picks in Davis, James and Williamson set to take the floor, there will be no shortage of star power under the bright lights in Vegas. A thriller is sure to ensue.

The Sporting News is tracking updates from throughout the In-Season Tournament Semifinals game between the Lakers and Pelicans.

MORE: Explaining all you need to know about how the In-Season Tournament works

Lakers vs. Pelicans score

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Lakers	29	–	–	–	–
Pelicans	30	–	–	–	–

Lakers vs. Pelicans live updates, results, highlights from 2023 In-Season Tournament semifinal

All times Eastern.

Second quarter

10 p.m.: The Lakers are beginning to create some distance.

Thanks in large part to LeBron James’ spurt, LA has outscored New Orleans 15-5 through the first four minutes of the second quarter. Timeout on the floor with 7:59 remaining in the half.

Lakers 44, Pelicans 35

9:55 p.m.: After scoring just two points in the opening frame, LeBron James is in double figures after draining back-to-back-to-back 3s, as part of him scoring 11 straight points for LA.

LeBron James is ON FIRE, knocking down 3-straight triples in the 2Q 🔥

14 PTS, 5/6 FGM, 3/3 3PM midway through 2 👀

🏀 Pelicans/Lakers on TNT
🏆 Winner faces Pacers in Championship in Las Vegas on Saturday pic.twitter.com/PSGSEhF15b

— NBA (@NBA) December 8, 2023

James is up to 14 points in the game on perfect 5-of-5 shooting from the field, including his three triples.

Lakers 40, Pelicans 33

End of first quarter: Pelicans 30, Lakers 29

9:51 p.m.: One quarter’s in the books and it has been a heavyweight battle thus far.

After going back and forth for 12 minutes, New Orleans takes a one-point lead into the second frame. It’s been a balanced attack from both sides, with Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell each scoring six points to pace the Lakers while Zion Williamson leads the Pelicans with six points.

Early returns suggest this game has the makings of one that’ll go down to the wire.

9:41 p.m.: The Pelicans are making a living on the offensive glass and, as a result, things are tied up with 4:17 left in the first.

New Orleans has pulled down four offensive boards resulting in seven second-chance points. Zion Williamson leads the way with six points on perfect 3-of-3 shooting.

Lakers 17, Pelicans 17

9:33 p.m.: It’s been a hot start for the Lakers, who lead by four points as we’ve reached our first break of the game.

Led by six points (on 3-of-3 shooting from D’Angelo Russell, LA is shooting 6 of 8 (75.0 percent) from the field, including 2 of 2 from deep. New Orleans, which has seen each starter score one bucket, is shooting 4 of 9 from the field.

Timeout on the floor less than five minutes in.

Lakers 15, Pelicans 11

9:26 p.m.: The game is finally underway in Las Vegas as the strong Laker contingent at T-Mobile Arena loves the fact that LA gets on the board first courtesy of a LeBron James and-one.

The West Semifinals are on.

Pregame

9 p.m.: After a thriller in the Eastern Conference Semifinal, expect things to tip off closer to 9:25 p.m. ET as the Lakers-Pelicans game is the second game of a doubleheader in the same arena.

It’s a bit delayed but we’re still within 30 minutes of tip off.

8:45 p.m.: Starting for the Lakers: D’Angelo Russell, Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

The Pelicans will go with a starting unit of CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas.

MORE: Why NBA stars are motivated by In-Season Tournament prize money

Lakers vs. Pelicans start time

• Date: Thursday, Dec. 7
• Time: 9 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. PT

Lakers vs. Pelicans will tip off around 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 7. The game will be played at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

What channel is Lakers vs. Pelicans on?

• Date: Thursday, Dec. 7
• TV channel: TNT | TruTV
• Live streaming: Sling TV

Lakers vs. Pelicans will air on TNT and TruTV. Viewers can also stream the game on Sling TV.

Fans in the U.S. can watch the biggest games of the 2023-24 NBA season on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Sling base packages (Sling Orange or Sling Blue) start at just $20 for your first month, or you can get Sling Orange + Blue starting at $27.50 for your first month.

There are no long-term contracts, and you can change your channel lineup anytime. DVR is included along with thousands of on-demand shows and movies.

NBA In-Season Tournament schedule, bracket

Monday, Dec. 4

Results

Pacers 122, Celtics 112

Pelicans 127, Kings 117

Tuesday, Dec. 5

Results

Bucks 146, Knicks 122

Lakers 106, Suns 103

Thursday, Dec. 7

Game	Time (ET)	National TV
Pacers vs. Bucks	5 p.m.	ESPN
Pelicans vs. Lakers	9 p.m.	TNT

Saturday, Dec. 9

Game	Time (ET)	National TV
TBD vs. TBD	8:30 p.m.	ABC