Zion Williamson, Jose Alvarado Return As Pelicans Cruise Over Kings
New Orleans, LA - Zion Williamson and Jose Alvarado returned as the New Orleans Pelicans (7-7, 9th in West) cruised to a 129-93 victory over the Sacramento Kings (8-5, 5th in West). The win moved New Orleans back to .500 on the season, as the team is currently 3-2 on its six-game home stand. After a heartbreaking loss to Minnesota on Saturday night, the Pelicans left little doubt about the outcome of this game. Brandon Ingram finished with a game-high 31 points on 11/18 shooting, with his teammate Zion Williamson scoring 26 points on 12/16 from the field.
New Orleans started the first quarter strong, gaining a 15-4 advantage to start the game. Sacramento would then go on a 27-10 run to take the lead late in the first quarter. Jordan Hawkins inched the Pels closer with a four-point play with three seconds left in the quarter. His free throw cut the Kings' lead to 31-29 after the first quarter. The Pelicans had ten assists on 12 made shots but couldn't contain New Orleans native De'Aaaron Fox in the quarter.
Fox scored 9 points in the quarter, while Herb Jones led the Pelicans with six points. Fans attending the game got exactly what they wanted in the second quarter: a Zion Williamson takeover. Williamson scored 18 points in the quarter and led all scorers with 22 points at halftime. Jonas Valanciunas turned in an all-around performance in the first half. JV scored 8 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out six assists in the first half. The Pelicans outscored the Kings 37-22 and led 66-53 at halftime.
Nov 20, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (5) dribbles against Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) during the first half at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
The third quarter was Brandon Ingram's time to take over. New Orleans started the quarter on a 21-4 run, making the Kings, who were playing on a back-to-back, look weary on the court. Like Williamson, Ingram scored 18 points in a quarter, and the Pelicans dominated the Kings 34-16. Jose Alvarado made his first basket of the season in the quarter, and the Smoothie King Center crowd erupted on its feet. The Pelicans lead was 100-69 after three quarters, to the delight of the Pelicans faithful.
It mainly was garbage time in the fourth quarter, although Zion stole a pass and rocked a thunderous dunk, yelling out after the rim-rattling finish. New Orleans played most of its bench players, including Kira Lewis, Jr, who got his first action in several games. Defensively, New Orleans held the Kings to 24.4% shooting from beyond the arc and outrebounded the Kings 55-36 on the glass.
De'Aaron Fox had just five points in the remaining three quarters, with the New Orleans defense stymying him with the defense of Dyson Daniels and Herb Jones.
The Pelicans will face the Kings in their final homestand game on Wednesday before hitting the road to play the Clippers in the NBA In-Season Tournament on Friday.
