NEW ORLEANS – In a thrilling encounter at the Smoothie King Center, the New Orleans Pelicans snapped their two-game losing streak with a hard-fought 112-105 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night. Brandon Ingram’s late-game heroics and a collective team effort propelled the Pelicans to a much-needed win.
Ingram, who finished with 26 points, played a pivotal role in turning the game’s tide in the final minutes. His crucial 3-pointer with just over two minutes left on the clock sparked an 8-2 run, pushing New Orleans ahead 102-98. This moment shifted the momentum firmly in the Pelicans’ favor.
The Pelicans’ resolve was further exemplified by Dyson Daniels’ hustle play, diving to the floor for a loose ball and executing a skillful bounce pass between a defender’s legs. This set up Trey Murphy III for a critical three-pointer, his first successful attempt after six misses, extending the lead to 107-100. Larry Nance Jr., returning after a 14-game absence due to injury, then connected on a dynamic dunk from a Zion Williamson assist, emphasizing New Orleans’ dominance in the paint.
Utah, refusing to go down without a fight, narrowed the gap to 109-105 on Lauri Markkanen’s free throws with just 38 seconds remaining. However, Murphy sealed the deal for the Pelicans with another three-pointer, ensuring victory with only 18 seconds left.
Zion Williamson’s performance was another highlight for New Orleans, contributing 21 points and 10 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double and fifth of the season. The Pelicans’ inside strength was evident as they outscored the Jazz 62-42 in the paint. CJ McCollum also played a crucial role, adding 22 points to the winning effort.
For the Jazz, Collin Sexton led the scoring with 26 points, while Markkanen added a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Walker Kessler’s perfect shooting night, going 5-for-5, was a bright spot, contributing 11 points to Utah’s cause.
The first half was marked by McCollum’s sharpshooting, scoring 14 points with four 3-pointers. Nance, making a significant impact on his return, contributed nine points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes of play.
Looking Forward
The Jazz, after concluding their five-game road trip in New Orleans, will look to bounce back as they host the Miami Heat on Saturday night. The Pelicans, riding the wave of this morale-boosting victory, prepare to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night, aiming to build on their momentum.
