Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans regular season game: Full injury report, who's out, where to watch, and more (January 6, 2026)

The Los Angeles Lakers visit the New Orleans Pelicans on January 6, 2026, at the Smoothie King Center. It is a matchup between two teams heading in very different directions.

Los Angeles comes in firmly placed near the top of the Western Conference, while New Orleans is trying to stop a seven-game losing streak. The Lakers have already beaten the Pelicans twice this season and have won nine of the last ten meetings overall. With Luka Dončić and LeBron James leading the offense, the Lakers enter with clear control of the matchup. The Pelicans are leaning heavily on Zion Williamson to keep pace.

Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report (January 6, 2026)

Los Angeles will again be without Reaves and Hachimura, while Vincent’s availability remains uncertain. New Orleans is missing Alexander and continues to monitor Jones. These absences force both teams to rely more on their bench rotations.

Where to Watch tonight's Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans (January 6, 2026)

The game tips off at 8:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. CT). Lakers fans can watch on SportsNet LA, while Pelicans viewers can tune into Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network or Pelicans+. NBA TV carries the game nationally, with streaming available on NBA League Pass, Fubo, and the ESPN app.

Key Players to Watch Tonight

Dončić is averaging 33.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.7 assists, setting the tone for the Lakers’ offense. James adds 21.2 points and 6.7 assists and continues to handle major minutes without restriction.

Williamson leads New Orleans with 23.5 points and 6.5 rebounds. The Pelicans will likely need him to push past 25 points to stay competitive, especially with the team allowing 123.1 points per game.

Head-to-Head and Team Stats

Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction (January 6, 2026)

Los Angeles enters as a clear favorite, listed around -5.5 with the total near 244 points. The Lakers have consistently outshot and outplayed New Orleans this season. Unless Williamson delivers a standout night, the Pelicans are likely to struggle again, with Los Angeles expected to pull away late and win by a comfortable margin.


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