Pelicans Triumph Over Kings
In a decisive victory on Monday night, the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Sacramento Kings 120-94, marking the Kings’ thirteenth successive defeat. This streak is now the longest for the franchise since relocating from Kansas City to Sacramento before the 1985-86 season.
Key Performances
Key performances from the Pelicans included Trey Murphy III, who showcased his shooting skills by sinking five three-pointers and accumulating 21 points. Additionally, Jeremiah Fears played a significant role by scoring 14 of his total 20 points in the second half, contributing to the Pelicans’ dominant second-half performance.
Zion Williamson also contributed with 18 points, shooting an impressive 7-for-11 from the field, along with providing six assists. Meanwhile, Sacramento’s Maxime Raynaud recorded a standout game with 21 points and an impressive 20 rebounds, marking his eighth double-double of the season as a rookie. Russell Westbrook added 17 points for the Kings, while both Devin Carter and Nique Clifford chipped in with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Notably, with his performance, Westbrook surpassed 27,000 career points, becoming one of only 14 players in NBA history to reach that milestone. He is currently 312 points away from Elvin Hayes, who ranks 13th on the all-time scoring list.
Game Highlights
The momentum shifted in favor of New Orleans when they capitalized on a late first-quarter basket by DeMar DeRozan that briefly gave the Kings a 20-15 lead. However, back-to-back three-pointers by Bryce McGowen and Murphy ignited a 25-6 run for the Pelicans, solidifying their position as they never looked back. Although Westbrook attempted to narrow the gap with a step-back jumper late in the first half, the Kings struggled to close the deficit.
Injuries Impacting the Kings
Injuries played a role in Sacramento’s struggles, with key players Zach LaVine (finger), Keegan Murray (ankle), Malik Monk (illness), and Domantas Sabonis (lower back) all missing the game. Collectively, they average around 62 points per game this season.
Looking Ahead
This victory also marked a change for the Pelicans, ending their streak of 14 consecutive games where their win or loss margin was within 10 points. Looking ahead, the Kings will face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, while the Pelicans will host the Miami Heat in their next matchup.
