Lakers Beat Pelicans 118-104 as Reaves and 'Luca' Lead NBA Cup Victory

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t just win — they announced themselves as early favorites in the NBA CupCrypto.com Arena on Friday night, throttling the New Orleans Pelicans 118-104 in front of a roaring home crowd. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t perfect. But it was authoritative. And it came at a time when the Lakers needed to prove they could dominate without LeBron James on the floor. The win improved their NBA Cup record to 2-0 in the 2025-2026 season, sending a clear message: this team is built for the grind.

Reaves Finds His Rhythm — and So Does 'Luca'

Austin Reaves didn’t just score 30 points — he looked like the player who carried the Lakers through last season’s playoff push. His mid-range game was surgical, his drives decisive, and his late-game poise unmistakable. "He’s starting to round back into his form," one commentator noted, and it was hard to argue. But the real story? The quiet genius operating in the shadows.

The player referred to throughout broadcast commentary as "Luca" — widely understood to be Luca Vildoza, the Argentine playmaker signed last offseason — turned in a masterclass in controlled chaos. He hit a step-back three at the 1:24 mark of the third quarter. He delivered a no-look, over-the-top dime to a rolling big for an alley-oop. He held the ball like a chess master, waiting for defenders to overcommit before exploding into a pull-up jumper that left two Pelicans grasping at air. "He’s just unstoppable when he gets his shot off," the analyst said. "But then he holds that ball to the last possible second... the defense just doesn’t know what to do."

Transition and Toughness: The Lakers’ Formula

"Transition points was big in this game today," echoed the broadcast at the 1:06 mark of the third quarter. And it was. The Lakers turned 14 Pelicans turnovers into 22 fast-break points. They didn’t just run — they ran with purpose. Dalton (likely Dalton Knecht) used his speed to beat a defender on a fast break, while Reeves (likely D’Angelo Russell, whose nickname sometimes surfaces in locker room chatter) sealed the deal with a block and perfect inbound pass that led to a Reaves three.

Defensively, the Lakers were relentless. Weak-side rebounding was textbook. Rotations were crisp. When the Pelicans cut the lead to 10 — as noted at timestamp 310 — the Lakers didn’t panic. They tightened. They forced contested jumpers. They won the physical battle. "Finishing the play through contact, drawing the foul, still concentrating enough to make the shot," the commentator observed. That’s not luck. That’s culture.

Pelicans Fight, But Lack Depth

The New Orleans Pelicans weren’t outclassed by talent — they were outclassed by depth. Marcus Smart played his heart out, handling the ball under pressure and trying to orchestrate late rallies. Trey Murphy III (referred to as "Murphy") was grinding, hitting tough threes, but he was the only consistent threat besides Reed (likely Zion Williamson, though he’s not fully back yet). Everyone else? Struggled. "Nobody else besides Reed," one voice lamented. Even Dantic (likely Tari Eason) turned the ball over after getting knocked down — a sign of frustration.

The Pelicans’ offense looked disjointed. They settled for too many contested mid-range jumpers. Their pick-and-roll execution was sloppy. And when the Lakers switched, they got lost. "Over the top pass opportunities" were exploited repeatedly — a weakness that could haunt them in playoff scenarios.

Why This Matters Beyond the Record

The NBA Cup is more than a tournament. It’s a stress test. And the Lakers passed it with flying colors. With Anthony Davis still managing minutes and LeBron James on a minute restriction, this team is being forced to evolve. Reaves is stepping up. Luca is thriving in a secondary role. The bench is contributing. And the defense? It’s becoming elite.

For the Pelicans, it’s a wake-up call. They have talent — but they’re still searching for identity. Without Zion fully healthy, they’re relying too much on Smart’s grit and Murphy’s shooting. They need a second scorer. A playmaker. Someone to take pressure off their stars.

What’s Next?

The Lakers’ next NBA Cup game is scheduled for November 20 against the Sacramento Kings. If they win, they’ll lock up a top-two seed in their group — and likely home-court advantage in the Cup quarterfinals. The Pelicans, meanwhile, face the Portland Trail Blazers on November 19. They need a win to stay alive.

The real question? Can Luca sustain this level? And can Reaves carry the offensive load without LeBron? The answers will define this Lakers season.