LOS ANGELES – The New Orleans Pelicans faced the Los Angeles Lakers for a second time this season without prized rookie Zion Williamson on Friday night at the Staples Center, and the result was the same as their previous matchup. Anthony Davis and company made easy work of the new-look Pelicans with the team's former superstar dropping 46 points on New Orleans.

Although it was a somber locker room after Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart couldn't get some revenge against their old team, a sense of humor isn't lost on these young players with a potentially bright future ahead in the NBA. Williamson, who hasn't played a game all season long after undergoing knee surgery back in October, made a point of it to lighten the mood in the away locker room at the Staples Center by taking a playful jab at Ball for not speaking up in a media scrum.

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After the loss to the Lakers on Friday night in Los Angeles, the Pelicans are now 11-24 on the season and are seemingly headed toward the 2020 NBA Draft with high hopes rather than the playoffs. This young team may be talented with a lot of upside, especially when Zion is healthy enough to make his return to the floor. Still, the growing pains continue in what appears to be a year focused on development rather than making an impact in the West.

Despite the loss to his former team, Ball did end the night on a high note as he led the way for the Pelicans with a team-high 23 points to go along with five assists, two rebounds, and two steals.