LOS ANGELES -- LeBron James and Anthony Davis returned to the lineup for the Lakers in a crucial game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, but it wasn't enough as L.A.'s hopes of making the play-in tournament was dealt another blow in a 114-111 loss.

James, who was cleared to play after undergoing an on-court workout about an hour before tipoff, missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer and finished with 38 points after missing the previous two games with a sprained left ankle.

Davis, who missed the Lakers' past 18 games with a right mid-foot sprain, had 23 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. L.A. went 4-14 during that span without Davis, which was the third-worst record in the league since the All-Star break.

L.A. (31-46) has lost five straight and remains in the No. 11 spot in the Western Conference. With the No. 10 San Antonio Spurs (32-45) winning Friday night, the Lakers are now a full game back for the final play-in spot with five games remaining. The Spurs own the tiebreaker over the Lakers.

The ninth-place Pelicans (34-43) won for the sixth time in eight games.