McCollum scores 43 points to lift Pelicans over the Kings 140-133 in overtime
NEW ORLEANS — — CJ McCollum scored 37 of his 43 points after halftime — including 11 points in overtime — and the New Orleans Pelicans snapped a 10-game losing streak with a 140-133 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night.
Jose Alvarado and Trey Murphy III each scored 18 points for New Orleans, which beat Sacramento for the first time in four meetings. Reserves Jordan Hawkins and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl each scored 16 points, while Karlo Matkovic added a career-high 13 points and blocked three shots.
New Orleans played without Zion Williamson, who scored 33 points on Wednesday and got Thursday off as he continues to work his way back into form from a left hamstring injury.
Zach LaVine had 32 points and 10 assists for Sacramento, while Domantas Sabonis had 22 points and tied a career high with 28 rebounds. Malik Monk scored 24 points and DeMar DeRozan added 20.
The Pelicans were trying protect a three-point lead late in regulation when they purposely fouled Sabonis with 8 seconds left. Sabonis missed his second free throw, but Monk rebounded, was fouled by Bruce Brown, and hit two free throws to force overtime.
Takeaways
Kings: Sabonis has grabbed 20 or more rebounds seven times this season. Former No. 1 overall draft pick Markelle Fultz, signed on Thursday to provide depth at guard in the wake of the De’Aaron Fox trade, did not play.
Pelicans: McCollum has scored 40 or more three times this season, the first Pelicans player since Anthony Davis in the 2018-19 season to do that.
Key moment
McCollum hit three 3-pointers in a span of just more than two minutes in overtime.
Key stat
Lacking Williamson’s inside presence, the Pelicans hit 21 of 50 (42%) 3-point shots, with McCollum hitting seven, and Alvarado and Robinson-Earl each hitting four.
Up next
The Kings host Golden State on Feb. 21, when the Pelicans also resume play at Dallas. ——
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Kings
Pelicans
Game Information
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAC | 29 | 36 | 30 | 32 | 6 | 133 |
| NO | 28 | 32 | 38 | 29 | 13 | 140 |
CJ McCollum Missed Perhaps the Easiest Game-Winning Shot Attempt of 2024-25 Season
CJ McCollum is going to want this one back.
With 5.8 seconds remaining and the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings tied at 127 apiece at Smoothie King Center on Thursday night, McCollum caught a pass under his own basket. He sprinted up the floor, crossing up Kings guard Keon Ellis several times.
Once McCollum reached the perimeter, he was met by three Kings defenders—who let the Pelicans veteran dribble through all of them for a wide-open look at a potential game-winning floater from inside the free-throw line.
The only problem? He missed it.
McCollum misses the potential game-winner 😳
We’re going to OT in New Orleans 🍿 pic.twitter.com/znsUUvgPnl
It’s hard to get a better look at a game-winner than that.
Of course, all is well that ends well. McCollum and the Pelicans went on to outscore Sacramento 13–6 in overtime to secure a 140–133 win—their 13th of the season. McCollum scored 11 of New Orleans’ 13 points in overtime and finished with a game-high 43 points on 16-of-25 shooting.
The Pelicans return to the floor Friday night to visit the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.
Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor’s in communication from St. John’s University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.
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CJ McCollum erupts for 43 points – including 11 in OT – and New Orleans outlasts Sacramento to stop a 10-game slide.
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