NBA: Pelicans overtake Clippers to continue late-season surge

The New Orleans Pelicans erased an early deficit and pulled away late to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers, 124-109, on Wednesday night in the opener of a back-to-back set between the teams.

Saddiq Bey led the way with 25 points, while Trey Murphy III added 23 as New Orleans continued its strong play at home. Dejounte Murray contributed 17 points and a season-high 11 assists, helping the Pelicans (24-46) secure their sixth straight home victory and fourth win in their last five games. Zion Williamson and Derik Queen each chipped in 14 points.

Despite falling behind 36-18 in the first quarter, the Pelicans responded with an efficient offensive performance, shooting 53 percent from the field and 43.2 percent (16 of 37) from beyond the arc. The Clippers shot 51.1 percent overall but struggled from long range, making just 9 of 31 attempts (29 percent).

Kawhi Leonard paced Los Angeles with 25 points and eight rebounds, while John Collins added 18. Darius Garland and Jordan Miller scored 13 points apiece for the Clippers (34-35), who dropped their third consecutive game but remained eighth in the Western Conference standings.

Leonard, returning after missing one game due to a left ankle sprain, also reached a career milestone by surpassing 5,000 rebounds. Kris Dunn came off the bench to score six points after starting the previous 62 games, marking his first reserve appearance since early November.

Los Angeles dominated the opening quarter, scoring 40 points and building an 18-point lead. However, New Orleans rallied in the second quarter, outscoring the Clippers 34-20 to tie the game at 60-60 at halftime.

The Pelicans carried that momentum into the second half, capitalizing on turnovers and outplaying the Clippers in the third quarter to take a 96-85 lead. A layup by Jeremiah Fears extended the advantage to 103-87 early in the fourth.

The Clippers made one last push, cutting the deficit to 109-101 midway through the final period. But the Pelicans responded with a decisive 12-0 run, capped by a pull-up jumper from Murray, to put the game out of reach at 121-101 with under four minutes remaining.

Murray, playing just his ninth game of the season after returning from a torn Achilles injury that sidelined him for more than a year, continued to find his rhythm. He is coming off a season-best 35-point performance in his previous outing against the Dallas Mavericks.

New Orleans will look to carry its momentum into the second game of the back-to-back as it aims to extend its recent surge. -Field Level Media/Reuters