Before retiring, LeBron James hopes to become the first NBA in-season tournament champion.

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 133-89 to go to the first in-season tournament final. James scored 30 points in 23 minutes.

“The whole environment was amazing,” said Lakers center Anthony Davis. It’s our first time in the in-season event, let alone the finals. The excitement, mood, energy, and team competition. I expect enjoyment.”

In the first December showcase, the Lakers defeated Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and the Pelicans to become 6-0.

“The in-season tournament has been good to us,” James. “We finished breakfast on Saturday. That’s first.”

This tournament in the middle of the NBA season was unthinkable 20 years ago. LeBron’s league tenure is that long.

LeBron was in the 2003 NBA Draft Class with Pelicans head coach Willie Green. The now-defunct Seattle Supersonics drafted Green 40 choices after James, who was drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

James and Green made history in the first NBA in-season tournament 20 years later. The Lakers will be a half-million dollars richer and have a chance to win the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament.

“I just know we came into this year wanting to build continuity and cohesiveness as quickly as possible,” Lakers head coach Darvin Ham stated when asked if his squad discussed winning the tournament. “Once they announced the prize money and trophy, everyone understood it fit our goals. Building a rhythm and being the best team is our goal.”

Tyrese Haliburton and the young Indiana Pacers remain obstacles.

The 23-year-old Haliburton and Indiana’s fastest and most effective offense will face the Lakers, one of the NBA’s oldest teams with LeBron James.

“We’re definitely going to have our hands full,” said Ham of Haliburton and Pacers. “We can’t take them for granted by any stretch.”

T-Mobile Arena was quieter than Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Tuesday for the quarterfinals.

Moving to the neutral site for the semifinals changed the atmosphere. The second semifinal game between the Pacers and Bucks had more Lakers fans than any other fan base, unlike the first, which felt like summer league.

The blue-and-red cоurt and fight night stage lights at T-Mоbile Arena оn Thursday night wоuld nоt indicate it. Even with superstars and NBA Hall оf Famers like Dr. Julius Erving and Shaquille о’Neal cоurtside, the game lacked the energy оf a Lakers hоme game.

“One thing I learned is the funky courts don’t bother us,” James said Thursday night. “My trainer told me today I’ve never played in a Final Four. I’ve played in single-elimination competitions, but never with NBA guys. This experience is enhanced.”

Before the game, the NBA observed a moment of silence for the victims of another mass shooting down the street on Wednesday. Three UNLV faculty members were killed by a lone gunman before authorities arrested him.

This game was all Lakers after the tip. After runs of 7-0, 14-0, and 8-0, the purple and gold led by 13 at halftime and 30 midway through the third quarter.

The Lakers lead by 42 points in the fourth quarter after clearing their bench and resting their starters. James sat out the final 17 minutes.

Trey Murphy III had 14 points for the Pelicans, while Ingram, Williamson, and C.J. McCollum scored 31.

After narrowly defeating the Suns in the quarterfinals, LeBron claimed he’s “trying to hand him his first loss.” James proved on Thursday night that he’s still an MVP in his 21st NBA season and will aim to give the Pacers their first loss of the tournament on Saturday.

“”Without hesitation,” Ham responded when asked if LeBron James is the MVP this season. “His style and level of play? That’s obvious.”

The NBA in-season tournament final at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas begins at 5:40PM PT on Saturday.