Trey Murphy III shines, but the Lakers dominate in the clutch

The The New Orleans Pelicans watched a special night slip away even like Trey Murphy III lit up. Shots kept falling. The threes are out of motion. The drives came with confidence. The night ended with a record 42 points. However, the Los Angeles Lakers still came out victoriousand became a stark reminder to the Pelicans what a shutout really means. Murphy’s the brilliance was on full displayand heartbreak came in the same breath.

Every rising star box is checked. The stat line told the story: 14 of 26 from the field, 6 of 17 from three, 5 rebounds, 3 assists in 39 minutes. During the biggest stretches, he carried the offense and kept New Orleans at arm’s length as the game tilted. It still wasn’t enough. When it got tight, the Lakers did what they do best. They closed. they are now 13–0 in clutch games.

After tonight’s victory, the Los Angeles Lakers are 13-0 so far this season!

It’s the second-longest streak to open a season in the play-by-play era (1997-98) 🚨

The longest?

Golden State Warriors in 2015-16 (14-0). pic.twitter.com/aaZ6KSN49sG

— NBA (@NBA) January 7, 2026

Context makes loss more difficult. The Pelicans sit at the bottom of the West at 8-30 and are now on an eight-game losing streak. They had chance to finish against the Lakers and couldn’t finish it. On the other hand, the Lakers moved up to No. 3 in the West with a 23–11 record and looked like a late-game team.

The Lakers’ late-game identity is against the Pelicans

The tone changed in the final minutes. The Lakers slowed down. They trusted their veterans. They hunted game and valued property. It looked methodical. It looked familiar. The Pelicans made shots but missed the little details, a quick look here, a late rotation there. That margin separated joy from frustration.

For New Orleans, this one will stick because the effort was there. The moment was there. Murphy looked like a player ready for the bigger stages and louder months ahead. For Los Angeles, the message remained simple: don’t blink late. They win in the fourth quarter. They own tight games.

So now the question hangs for both sides under the bright lights of the arena. Can the Pelicans turn Trey Murphy III’s breakout into a swing — and can anyone stop the Lakers when the game gets close?