With the win, the Lakers earned a meeting with the defending champion Nuggets in Denver on Saturday in the first round of the playoffs. The Pelicans will host the winner of Tuesday's Play-In game between Sacramento and Golden State in an elimination matchup Friday.
LeBron James scored a team-high 23 points, to go along with nine assists and nine rebounds. Lakers' D'Angelo Russell, who scored 21 points and added seven assists, was also instrumental in the victory.
Williamson, whose 40 points paced both teams, also finished with 11 rebounds and five assists.
The Pelicans reduced their 18-point deficit to seven points entering the fourth quarter and made a strong push, ultimately coming within two points before the Lakers secured the win.
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