NEW ORLEANS — CJ McCollum erupted for 37 of his 43 points after halftime, including 11 points in overtime, to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to a 140-133 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night. This win ended the Pelicans’ 10-game losing streak and marked their first victory over the Kings in four attempts.
Alongside McCollum, Jose Alvarado and Trey Murphy III each contributed 18 points. The bench played a significant role as well, with Jordan Hawkins and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl adding 16 points apiece. Karlo Matkovic had a standout performance with a career-high 13 points and three blocks.
The Pelicans played without Zion Williamson, who scored 33 points the night before but was given the day off to rest as he continues recovering from a left hamstring injury.
Sacramento was led by Zach LaVine’s 32 points and 10 assists, while Domantas Sabonis posted 22 points and a career-high 28 rebounds. Malik Monk added 24 points, and DeMar DeRozan scored 20.
The Pelicans held a three-point lead late in regulation when they intentionally fouled Sabonis with 8 seconds remaining. Sabonis missed his second free throw, but Monk grabbed the rebound, was fouled by Bruce Brown, and made two free throws to tie the game and force overtime.
Takeaways
- Kings: Sabonis reached 20 or more rebounds for the seventh time this season. Markelle Fultz, who was signed Thursday to add depth in light of De’Aaron Fox’s trade, did not play.
- Pelicans: McCollum has scored 40 or more points three times this season, the first Pelicans player since Anthony Davis in the 2018-19 season to achieve that.
Key Moment
McCollum drained three 3-pointers in just over two minutes during overtime, helping to secure the win.
Key Stat
Without Williamson’s presence in the paint, the Pelicans knocked down 21 of 50 (42%) 3-point attempts, with McCollum hitting seven, and Alvarado and Robinson-Earl each making four.