The Los Angeles Lakers have shown significant growth this NBA season, emerging as one of the strongest championship contenders. Their progress has not gone unnoticed, as Trey Murphy III recently shared some positive remarks about the team.

But amidst that excitement was a bit of concern about their defense and how it would hold up without big man Anthony Davis and guard Max Christie, the two main players they sent out in order to obtain Doncic.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy credited the Los Angeles Lakers for playing smart defense in their recent matchup.

When the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Luka Doncic, many critics around the league believed that their defense would struggle. That hasn't been the case at all,

NEW ORLEANS — Trey Murphy III scored 24 points, Zion Williamson added 18 and the New Orleans Pelicans completed a two-game home game sweep of the San Antonio Spurs, 109-103 on Tuesday night.

However, there is already some reason to believe the mentality is changing. According to Michael Wright of ESPN, Williamson is currently playing at the lightest weight of his NBA career, 264 pounds. Tune into any Pelicans game and the eye test will match this report; Williamson looks like he's in the best shape of his NBA career.

A newcomer is fitting well with Williamson, while two young players need to push themselves down the team's final stretch of the year.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Trey Murphy III scored 24 points, Zion Williamson added 18 and the Pelicans completed a two-game home game sweep of the San Antonio Spurs, 109-103, on Tuesday night (Feb. 25). The Pelicans overcame a 19-point deficit in the first half, despite shooting 7 of 31 from 3-point range for the game.

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