LOS ANGELES – The New Orleans Pelicans went head-to-head against the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time at the Staples Center on Friday night since the Anthony Davis trade that rocked the NBA last summer. Although these two teams did play against each other earlier in the 2019-20 campaign, this was the first time for Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Brandon Ingram back in Los Angeles.

With the Lakers flying high atop of the Western Conference and the Pelicans struggling this season, the matchup between these two teams went as expected. Davis crushed his former team putting up 40-plus points (46) yet again against New Orleans while Ball, Ingram, and Hart could only watch the Lakers get another easy win.

Ball, who is a Los Angeles native, briefly talked about his experience with the Lakers in the short time he was with the franchise.

“I enjoyed my time here,” Ball said of his stint in Los Angeles. “This is my hometown so I love playing in front of them and unfortunately, I was hurt both years, which is terrible for me, and I know, for the fans, but I wish them the best.”

Ball had persistent injury issues during his two seasons with the Lakers. Ankle and knee issues became a common occurrence for the former UCLA star. During his limited time being healthy while with the Lakers, Ball showed why the team valued him as high as they did during the 2017 NBA Draft when they selected him No. 2 overall.

Fortunately for Ball, the 22-year-old has an ideal opportunity to turn things around with a rebuilding team in New Orleans. The Pelicans are stacked with young talent which includes Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Jaxson Hayes, and Zion Williamson. New Orleans could make a lot of noise in the near future if Ball and Williamson stay healthy and Ingram continues to grow into a star player he's shaping up to be.