Lakers lose to the Pelicans and sustain yet another serious injury.

NEW ORLEANS: Now was the time to move forward—this was the last game of 2023 and the last matchup of a run of games the Lakers had played away from Los Angeles, 14 out of 19.
Coach Darvin Ham issued something of a proclamation prior to the Lakers’ game in New Orleans, signaling the end of this chapter in their history. Rui Hachimura was going to be the team’s fifth starter as the Lakers advanced with a new starting lineup.

“I believe we will stick with this lineup that you see tonight for the foreseeable future,” Ham stated.

The Lakers lost 129-109 to the Pelicans to cap off an emotional defeat to Minnesota on Saturday, which dealt another blow to the team’s quest for consistency and required a quick turnaround.