Pelicans Survive Late Scares, Hold Off Nets in Gritty 116-113 Win
The air inside the Smoothie King Center hasn’t been light lately. When you are sitting on a 9-33 record, every possession feels heavier, and every fourth-quarter lead feels fragile. On Wednesday night, the New Orleans Pelicans faced that familiar tension again. After squandering a double-digit lead to the Nuggets just 24 hours prior, the Pelicans found themselves in another dogfight down the stretch, this time against a scrapping Brooklyn Nets squad.
But this time, the narrative flipped.
Powered by a season-stabilizing performance from Trey Murphy III and clutch heroics from veteran Saddiq Bey, the Pelicans held on for a 116-113 victory, finally putting a tally in the win column after dropping 11 of their previous 12 contests. It wasn’t always pretty, and it certainly wasn’t easy, but for a New Orleans team desperate for a spark, it was necessary.
Trey Murphy III Electrifies the Pelicans Offense
While the headlines often gravitate toward Zion Williamson, Wednesday belonged to Trey Murphy III. The forward was simply unconscious from the floor, pouring in a game-high 34 points on an efficient 12-of-23 shooting.
Murphy didn’t just score; he scored when it mattered. He knocked down five shots from deep, stretching a Nets defense that looked lost in rotation for much of the night. His length and athleticism were on full display, as he pulled down nine rebounds and dished out five assists, orchestrating the offense when things bogged down in the half-court.
For a Pelicans team that has struggled mightily with spacing this season, Murphy’s perimeter threat opened up the lane for his teammates. When the Nets tried to collapse on Zion, Murphy made them pay, punishing sagging defenders with a fluid release that Brooklyn had no answer for.
Saddiq Bey Closes the Door
The game was deadlocked at 110-110 with just over a minute remaining. The crowd, perhaps anticipating another heartbreak, grew quiet. That’s when Saddiq Bey decided he’d seen enough.
Bey, who finished with 12 points off the bench, scored seven of those in the final 70 seconds. First, he drilled a massive three-pointer off a feed from sophomore Yves Missi to break the tie. Moments later, after the Nets had pulled within one, Bey attacked the rim with ferocity, throwing down a driving dunk that gave the Pelicans a 112-110 cushion with 21 seconds left.
It was the kind of veteran poise New Orleans has been searching for during this brutal stretch. Bey iced the game at the free-throw line with four seconds remaining, forcing the Nets into a desperation heave from Michael Porter Jr.
Zion Williamson and Yves Missi Control the Paint
While the perimeter shooting was the highlight, the Pelicans won this game in the trenches. Zion Williamson, despite a tough night handling the ball (four turnovers), was a force of nature near the rim. He tallied 25 points on 11-of-14 shooting, bullying his way through contact and drawing crucial fouls on Brooklyn’s bigs.
Complementing Williamson was sophomore sensation Yves Missi. The young center continues to be a bright spot in a dim season, recording a gritty double-double with 12 points and a monster 12 rebounds—nine of which came on the offensive glass. Missi’s relentless energy kept possessions alive and demoralized a Nets team that is statistically the worst rebounding unit in the league. His activity in the paint was the difference-maker, giving the Pelicans second and third chances that they converted into crucial points.
Nets Rookies Shine in Defeat
Credit is due to the Nets, who refused to roll over despite trailing for much of the second half. Brooklyn, now losers of five straight, got impressive production from their youth movement. Egor Demin looked poised beyond his years, dropping 17 points and orchestrating the offense with five assists. Drake Powell added 16 points, hitting big shots to keep Brooklyn within striking distance.
Michael Porter Jr. led the Nets with 20 points but struggled with efficiency, shooting just 7-of-20 from the field. Brooklyn’s inability to secure rebounds—outrebounded 53 to 43—ultimately doomed their comeback bid.
What This Win Means for the Pelicans
“There are no moral victories in this league,” Saddiq Bey said after the Denver loss. He was right. The NBA is an unforgiving place, and the standings don’t care about close calls.
That is why Wednesday’s result was so vital. By closing this one out, the Pelicans avoided falling further into the abyss and proved to themselves that they can execute in crunch time. They moved the ball well (24 assists) and survived a shaky defensive fourth quarter to secure their 10th win of the season.
It’s a small step, but for a franchise looking for any positive momentum, it’s a start. The Pelicans will look to build on this gritty performance as they try to salvage the second half of their season.
