NEW ORLEANS — Zion Williamson recorded an impressive triple-double, propelling the New Orleans Pelicans to a 127-120 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night. Williamson showcased his skills with 22 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds, helping the Pelicans break a four-game losing streak.
The Pelicans initially seemed dominant, building a formidable lead of up to 21 points in the first half as the Clippers struggled with their three-point shooting, sinking only 1 of their first 14 attempts. Despite losing their lead momentarily, New Orleans surged back late in the third quarter. Williamson played a crucial role in their recovery, contributing 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists in the fourth quarter alone, much to the delight of the home fans with his clutch performances.
Additional support came from CJ McCollum, who added 23 points, and Trey Murphy III, who scored 21 points, thrilling the crowd with a reverse alley-oop from McCollum’s pass. The Pelicans received valuable contributions from rookie center Karlo Matkovic, who scored 15 points, and Jose Alvarado, who chipped in with 14 points.
For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard led the way with a game-high 29 points, and James Harden supported with 25 points and 17 assists. The Clippers had been in strong form, securing victories in six of their last seven games prior to this encounter. However, they didn’t manage to take the lead until Ivica Zubac’s dunk from a Harden lob at the 5:08 mark in the third quarter. Zubac himself tallied 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. each added 11 points.
In terms of team aspects, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue was absent for a second consecutive game due to back pain, leaving top assistant Brian Shaw in charge. Meanwhile, the Pelicans introduced Mo Bamba, who recently signed a 10-day contract, into the action. Bamba contributed seven rebounds and a block over 15 minutes of play, with veteran Kelly Olynyk sitting out for rest.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Williamson executed a coast-to-coast drive, finishing with a powerful dunk, expanding the lead to 98-90 at the close of the third quarter. His emphatic gestures afterwards set the tone for his dominant final period.
Statistically, the Pelicans excelled in their shooting, hitting an impressive 54.8% (17 out of 31) from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead, the Clippers are set to face off against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, while the Pelicans will host the Orlando Magic on Thursday.
