NBA: CJ McCollum-led Pelicans beat Kings to end 10-game skid
New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) is congratulated by a fan during the closing seconds of overtime of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in New Orleans, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)
CJ McCollum scored 43 points, including a tiebreaking 3-pointer in overtime, and the host New Orleans Pelicans ended a 10-game losing streak by defeating the Sacramento Kings 140-133 in the NBA on Thursday night.
Trey Murphy III added 18 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, Jose Alvarado scored 18, Jordan Hawkins and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl scored 16 each and rookie Karlo Matkovic had a season-high 13.
READ: NBA: Kings extend win streak, deal Pelicans their 10th straight loss
Zach LaVine collected 32 points and 10 assists, Domantas Sabonis added 22 points and 28 rebounds, Malik Monk had 24 points and nine assists, DeMar DeRozan put up 20 points and Keegan Murray scored 13 for the Kings.
The score was tied at 133 in overtime when McCollum before a 3-pointer. Matkovic added a layup with 1:22 left, and Sacramento didn’t score again.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) is hit by Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk, left, and forward Keegan Murray (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)
The Kings led by seven early in the third quarter before McCollum scored five points to help the Pelicans take a 75-74 lead. The lead changed hands three more time and the score was tied seven times before Robinson-Earl made a 3-pointer to give New Orleans a 98-95 edge at the end of the period.
Robinson-Earl made another 3-pointer and two free throws to help the Pelicans extend the lead to 107-99.
READ: NBA: CJ McCollum scores 50, Pelicans end 11-game slide
LaVine’s three-point play and two field goals by Sabonis helped give the Kings a five-point lead with 2:30 remaining in regulation. However, Sacramento went more than two minutes without scoring, and McCollum’s jumper gave New Orleans a 123-122 lead with 34.1 seconds left.
DeRozan drove to the basket, but Matkovic blocked his layup and Murphy made two free throws for a three-point lead. The Pelicans twice fouled the Kings before they could attempt a tying 3-pointer, but the Kings made the first three free throws and Monk rebounded Sabonis’ miss, was fouled and made both with 5.8 seconds left to force overtime.
The Kings led 29-28 at the end of the first quarter. Alvarado and Hawkins each made two 3-pointers and the Pelicans grabbed a 48-41 lead. Sabonis made three layups to key a 15-0 run that gave Sacramento an eight-point lead. The Kings led by eight points again before the Pelicans pulled within 65-60 at halftime. –Field Level Media
