NBA: Pelicans down woeful Wizards to match season win total from 2025

Trey Murphy III hit four of nine 3-pointers en route to 24 points, while Saddiq Bey posted a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double as the New Orleans Pelicans dominated the visiting Washington Wizards, 138-118, on Sunday.

Murphy sparked a crucial 12-0 Pelicans run in the fourth quarter with a pair of 3-pointers, giving New Orleans a commanding 22-point lead. His hot shooting helped seal the game, with five Pelicans finishing in double figures. Jeremiah Fears contributed 18 points, leading another key run late in the third quarter. Fears scored on a pair of layups, including an and-one, and assisted Derik Queen and Bryce McGowens, helping the Pelicans enter the fourth quarter with a lead that never fell below eight points. He also led the team with seven assists and grabbed five rebounds.

Zion Williamson added 20 points, eight of them on 11 free throws, helping the Pelicans set a team record with 37 points at the charity stripe. Dejounte Murray chipped in 19 points, including seven from the free-throw line, and grabbed six rebounds. Queen finished with 13 points to round out New Orleans’ double-digit scorers.

For Washington, Trae Young scored 17 points on 4-of-6 shooting in just 18 minutes, dished a game-high eight assists, and saw his team fall to its eighth straight loss. The Wizards relied heavily on their bench, which contributed 59 points. Will Riley led the reserves with 19 points, just behind starter Tre Johnson’s team-high 20. Anthony Gill added 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting, while Jaden Hardy finished with 10 points.

Sunday’s game kicked off a four-game road trip for the Wizards.

—Field Level Media/Reuters