Pelicans-Lakers Game Will Broadcast On National TV With LeBron James Close To Making History

The NBA has changed the Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans game from a 7 PM CT tipoff to 5 PM CT and broadcast ESPN2 on Saturday, Feb. 4. LeBron James' pursuit of history brings intrigue surrounding the contest.

James is 89 points away from passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record. The Lakers play the Pacers on Thursday night, and a big night from LeBron could put the record in reach when the Lakers square off against the Pelicans in the Smoothie King Center.

The significance of this game is crucial for the Pelicans as well. New Orleans has plummeted to 10th in the Western Conference after nine-straight losses. Only two games separate the Lakers and Pelicans in the win-loss column. New Orleans can ill afford to drop another game to Los Angeles since losing earlier this season at Crypto.com Arena.

Also, there is always extra drama when Anthony Davis returns to New Orleans. Davis played seven seasons in the Big Easy before requesting a trade. The Pelicans obliged by trading the star forward to the Lakers in 2019, so a return to New Orleans is another bonus for ESPN to carry this game.

The match will have less star power should New Orleans be without NBA All-Star Zion Williamson. He was named a starter in this year's All-Star game; however, a hamstring injury has sidelined him for nearly a month.

New Orleans hopes for Brandon Ingram to return to form after returning to the lineup after missing 29 games due to a toe injury. The Pelicans desperately seek to get out of the hole they've created with the string of losses and keep sliding down the Western Conference rankings without Zion.

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