In a stunning turnaround, the New Orleans Pelicans erased an 18-point first-quarter deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 124-109, behind 25 points from Saddiq Bey and 23 from Trey Murphy, in a victory that bolsters their playoff push.
The New Orleans Pelicans delivered a statement victory on Wednesday night, overcoming an early 18-point hole to best the Los Angeles Clippers 124-109 at the Smoothie King Center, as reported by the Associated Press. This win marks the Pelicans’ sixth consecutive home triumph and their ninth in the last 13 games, signaling a late-season surge in the competitive Western Conference.
The Clippers jumped out to a fast start, building a 33-18 lead early in the first quarter behind 12 points from Kawhi Leonard during that initial run. However, the Pelicans clawed back methodically. Trailing 40-26 after the first quarter, they trimmed the deficit with Trey Murphy’s free throws and tied the game at 58 late in the second quarter on Murphy’s three-pointer. The teams traded baskets in the final seconds before halftime, with Murphy tying it at 60 on a high, driving floater in traffic.
In the third quarter, Murphy drilled his 200th three-pointer of the season, a milestone that gave New Orleans an 89-81 lead. His fourth three-pointer made it 94-81, and the Pelicans extended their advantage to 96-85 by period’s end. From there, they never relinquished control, with Murphy’s double-clutch dunk over Brook Lopez on a fast break sparked by Herb Jones’ steal pushing the lead to 117-101 with 4:43 remaining.
Saddiq Bey epitomized the offensive efficiency, sinking five of his 10 three-point attempts, while Dejounte Murray added 17 points and 11 assists. Zion Williamson and rookie Derrick Queen each scored 14, and bench player Jeremiah Fears chipped in 11 points, showcasing the team’s depth. The Pelicans shot 43.2% from deep (16-for-37) and made 20 of 21 free throws (95.2%), a stark contrast to their early eight turnovers in the first nine minutes, which the Clippers converted into nine points.
- Final Score: New Orleans Pelicans 124, Los Angeles Clippers 109
- Leading Scorers: Saddiq Bey (25 points), Trey Murphy (23 points), Kawhi Leonard (25 points)
- Key Assist Man: Dejounte Murray (17 points, 11 assists)
- Milestone: Trey Murphy’s 200th three-pointer of the season
- Three-Point Shooting: Pelicans 43.2% (16-for-37)
- Free Throw Accuracy: Pelicans 95.2% (20-for-21)
For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard’s 25 points and John Collins’ 18 weren’t enough to stem the tide. The loss drops Los Angeles to 34-35 on the season, maintaining only a half-game lead over the Portland Trail Blazers for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, according to the Associated Press NBA standings. This marks a critical juncture for a team struggling to find consistency despite star power.
This victory underscores the Pelicans’ potential to make a late playoff push. With Zion Williamson increasingly involved and role players like Murphy and Bey emerging as consistent threats, New Orleans is peaking at the right time. The ability to erase such a large deficit early demonstrates a newfound mental fortitude that has eluded them in past seasons. Fans will view this as a sign that the talent is finally coalescing into a cohesive unit capable of postseason success.
The immediate rematch on Thursday night offers the Clippers a chance to even the series, but the Pelicans, riding a wave of home-court confidence, will look to sweep the season series and solidify their hold on a play-in spot. For Los Angeles, it’s an opportunity to address the defensive lapses that allowed the comeback and to prove their playoff mettle in a tight conference race.
In the grand scheme, this win propels the Pelicans into the conversation as a dangerous playoff outsider, while the Clippers must confront their vulnerability to scoring droughts. As the Western Conference race tightens, every game counts, and New Orleans’ resilience could be the deciding factor in their postseason aspirations.
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