Pelicans Hang On To Defeat Knicks In Home Finale
NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans Pelicans finished their home schedule with a 113-105 win over the New York Knicks, and secured their first winning season since 2017-18.
Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 31 points, giving the second-year forward back-to-back 30-point games for the first time in his young career.
CJ McCollum added 23 points (4-of-9 3PA), with Brandon Ingram contributing 18 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Herbert Jones was a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor for 15 points and three blocks.
RJ Barrett led the Knicks with 28 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Immanuel Quickley finished with 24.
Over the first 36 minutes, the Pelicans built double-digit leads on more than one occasion but couldn't maintain them, leading to a game that wasn't decided until the final minutes.
New York led 100-99 after Jericho Sims converted his floater in the lane with just over five minutes to play, but the Pelicans responded with a 7-0 run to move back in front 106-100.
With New Orleans holding on to a 106-103 advantage the ball found Herb Jones in the corner as he patiently waited in front of the Knicks' bench. Jones let it fly with confidence and the ball found nothing but net as the Pelicans extended their lead back to six points once again.
Jones then provided the final two plays that sealed the win. First he found Larry Nance for a cutting lay-up on one end, and then he blocked a shot by Immanuel Quickley on the baseline that led to a pair of CJ McCollum free throws.
New Orleans finishes the regular season with a 27-14 record at the Smoothie King Center; the sixth-best mark in franchise history and the most home wins since the 2014-15 season (28).
Having already assured themselves of at least a spot in the play-in tournament, the victory allows New Orleans to keep pace with the 7th-place Los Angeles Lakers.
The Pelicans will close the regular season on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday afternoon. They are 1-1 against the Wolves this season, having split a pair at the Smoothie King Center and have won two of their last three in the Twin Cities.
