Anthony Davis will take the court at Smoothie King Center on Wednesday for the first time since being traded from the Pelicans to the Lakers this past offseason. He doesn't expect a warm reception.
The six-time All-Star forward left New Orleans on bad terms after derailing the team's 2018-19 season with a trade request. Davis was often booed at home games despite still being a member of the Pelicans, and at one point he became so frustrated that he flipped off a fan as he was leaving the floor following the conclusion of an April game.
Davis' time with the Pelicans wasn't all bad, of course — he developed into one of the NBA's top players and established relationships that will last well beyond his basketball career. However, Davis understands those in attendance Wednesday night may only remember the recent breakup.
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"When I go back, I'm gonna have mixed emotions," Davis told The Athletic's Shams Charania. "And it's all because a great six-and-a-half years, and then that last half it was ... I know the fans are gonna boo me — I got booed when I was still playing there — but it's gonna be fun for me. Like man, it's another game. I just wanna win a game."
Anthony Davis on his New Orleans return Wednesday and one thing he’d redo in final days as a Pelican: “That’s a game of the year for me. New Orleans is a part of me.” From my sit-down with the Lakers star on @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/Wjbw7RONLu
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 26, 2019
Winning hasn't been much of a problem for the Lakers. With Davis and LeBron James leading the way, Los Angeles holds the league's best record at 15-2 and brings an eight-game winning streak to New Orleans. The Pelicans (6-11), meanwhile, have been dealing with multiple injuries and are simply fighting to stay alive in the Western Conference playoff race.
Can the Pels spoil Davis' return? Here is everything you need to know ahead of Lakers vs. Pelicans, including the tipoff time and TV channel for Wednesday night's game.
What channel is Lakers vs. Pelicans on tonight?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: Watch ESPN
Lakers vs. Pelicans: What time is tipoff?
- Date: Wednesday, Nov. 27
- Start time: 6:30 p.m. PT | 9:30 p.m. ET
The 9:30 p.m. ET tipoff (6:30 p.m. PT) caps a doubleheader on ESPN. The Nets and Celtics will start the network's coverage with an Eastern Conference battle at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT).
Lakers schedule 2019
Here are the Lakers' next five games:
| Date | Opponent | Time | National TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 27 | at Pelicans | 9:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| Nov. 29 | vs. Wizards | 10:30 p.m. ET | NBA TV |
| Dec. 1 | vs. Mavericks | 4 p.m. ET | — |
| Dec. 3 | at Nuggets | 9 p.m. ET | — |
| Dec. 4 | at Jazz | 9 p.m. ET | NBA TV |
Pelicans schedule 2019
Here are the Pelicans' next five games:
| Date | Opponent | Time | National TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 27 | vs. Lakers | 9:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| Nov. 29 | at Thunder | 8 p.m. ET | NBA TV |
| Dec. 1 | vs. Thunder | 5 p.m. ET | — |
| Dec. 3 | vs. Mavericks | 7:30 p.m. ET | TNT |
| Dec. 5 | vs. Suns | 8 p.m. ET | — |
