NBA Top Five Performances, Feb. 5: Trey Murphy III’s 30-Point Night Helped Pelicans Cruise Past Sacramento Kings

TOP PLAYER OF THE DAY:

The New Orleans Pelicans were without Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas, and Zion Williamson Sunday night against the Kings.

Trey Murphy III rose to the occasion with a season-high 30 points to lead New Orleans to a blowout win over Sacramento. The Pelicans got their second consecutive win after dropping 10 games in a row. Murphy made just 10 3-pointers in 31 attempts over his last six games but was 6 of 8 on Sunday night.

“It’s a good feeling,” Murphy said. “Like I said before, I just gotta keep shooting. No matter if you’re hitting or not, eventually your percentage is gonna get to where it's supposed to be. I'm just glad my teammates found me and I was able to knock down shots.”

Murphy said ending the losing streak the previous game helped re-establish the team’s winning mentality.

“Once you’re in the ruts like that, you come out of games knowing you’re right there,” Murphy said. “Last night we gutted it out, and now we’re trying to get back to our winning ways.”

OTHERS:

- Julius Randle had 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists to help the Knicks overcome a 21-point deficit against the Philadelphia 76ers.

- Paolo Banchero’s double-double led the Orlando Magic past the Charlotte Hornets. Banchero closed out the night with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

- Despite the loss, Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball had a 33-point performance on 13 of 24 shooting. It was Ball’s fourth 30-point game of the season.

- Scottie Barnes had 16 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks in the Toronto Raptors’ win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Barnes had 13 points in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead shot with 20 seconds left.

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.

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