Zion Williamson’s 24-point performance, highlighted by a 10-point streak in the final two minutes, propelled the New Orleans Pelicans to a 119-113 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
Pelicans Extend Winning Streak
The win marks the Pelicans’ fifth consecutive triumph, the longest stretch since 2022, after a rocky 3-22 start to the season. New Orleans erased an 87-79 deficit after three quarters, turning the game around with a 38-19 run in the first 10:24 of the final quarter.
Williamson’s Decisive Moment
With the score at 105-103, Williamson capitalized on five of the next six Pelican possessions. Four of those came from powerful drives to the basket from the right side, giving the team a 117-106 edge with 1:37 remaining. His explosive play in the closing minutes was the key to the Pelicans’ lead.
Mavericks Fight Back
Dallas, led by Anthony Davis’ season-high 35 points, narrowed the gap with a seven-point burst, trimming the Pelicans’ advantage to 117-113 with 18.1 seconds left. However, Trey Murphy III sealed the game for New Orleans by making two free throws with 10.4 seconds remaining.
Supporting Cast Contributions
Derik Queen finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Saddiq Bey added another 19 points and seven rebounds. In the first half, Davis scored 22 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, and Klay Thompson, coming off the bench, posted 20 points. Thompson’s shooting was impressive, hitting five of his first nine three-point attempts.
First-Half Dominance
The Mavericks entered the second half with a 63-57 halftime lead, having overcome an early 11-point deficit. Davis shot 10-for-16 in the opening half, easily scoring near the rim against the Pelicans’ smaller interior defense. He also hit an unguarded three-pointer for Dallas’ final bucket of the second quarter.
Upcoming Games
The Mavericks will host Denver on Tuesday, while the Pelicans head to Cleveland for their next matchup.
Key Takeaways
- Zion Williamson’s 24 points and 10-point burst sealed a 119-113 win.
- The Pelicans extended their season-long streak to five games, the longest since 2022.
- Anthony Davis led Dallas with 35 points, but the team fell short in the final seconds.
The Pelicans’ resilience and Williamson’s late-game heroics underscore their return to winning ways after a difficult start to the season.
