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McCollum, Williamson score 31 apiece, Pelicans complete five-game sweep of Kings with 135-123 win

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April 13, 2024

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McCollum, Williamson score 31 apiece, Pelicans complete five-game sweep of Kings with 135-123 win

BY BEN ROSS | ASSOCIATED PRESS

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson every scored 31 factors and the New Orleans Pelicans beat Sacramento 135-123 on Thursday night time to finish a five-game season sweep of the Kings.

Williamson went to the locker room late within the second quarter with an obvious left wrist damage, however returned to attain 23 factors within the second half.

“Proving myself proper,” he stated of his efficiency. “Easy as that. After which, with my teammates and coaches simply trusting me, which means loads.”

McCollum tied a season excessive with 9 3-pointers in 12 makes an attempt and added seven assists to assist the Pelicans enhance their possibilities of avoiding the play-in event. They’re sixth within the Western Convention, the ultimate assured playoff spot.

“For us, it’s about persevering with to win, persevering with to offer ourselves an opportunity to perform what we would like, which is making the playoffs after which making a run within the playoffs,” McCollum stated.

Trey Murphy III added 27 factors, and Jonas Valanciunas had 13 factors and 10 rebounds.

New Orleans improved to 27-14 on the highway, a franchise document for wins and tied with the Celtics for the very best mark within the NBA. The Pelicans (48-32) lead the Phoenix Suns by one recreation for the sixth seed with two video games remaining.

“It’s extraordinarily tough to win any recreation within the NBA, not to mention go in another person’s constructing and carve out a win,” New Orleans coach Willie Inexperienced stated. “I don’t essentially have the solutions, to be trustworthy with you, of how we’re doing it. However we’re. We’re going to take these positives and hold making an attempt to construct on them. It’s good to know that we will go on the highway and be collectively and win video games at a excessive degree.”

De’Aaron Fox had 33 factors and eight assists, however Sacramento misplaced for the fourth time in its final 5 video games and misplaced its likelihood to keep away from the play-in event. The Kings (45-35) are tied with the Lakers and Warriors for eighth.

“If we might’ve completed in sixth, I wished that greater than anything,” Sacramento coach Mike Brown stated. “Or fifth. However on the finish of the day, that is the place we’re, and let’s frickin’ go get it and let’s study and develop from it and see what occurs, on the finish of the day. However I’m enthusiastic about any alternative to play within the postseason.”

Harrison Barnes added 22 factors, and Domantas Sabonis had 18 factors and 10 rebounds for his seventy fifth double-double, probably the most by any participant in a season since Moses Malone had 77 in 1978-79.

The Pelicans used an 18-0 run to construct a 34-11 lead, however Sacramento responded with 15 straight factors to get again inside eight early within the second quarter.

New Orleans led 64-58 on the half and by no means trailed within the recreation. The Pelicans shot 57% from the sector and made 22 of 40 3-pointers.

“They hit us first,” Fox stated. “I believe they obtained into us. I believe we obtained some beauty that didn’t go down, too. However I believe they managed the sport from the beginning.”

Sacramento shot 55% and made 16 of 38 3s.

New Orleans was with out ahead Brandon Ingram for the eleventh straight recreation, although he’s nearing a return from a left knee bone contusion.

Pelicans ahead Larry Nance Jr. additionally missed the sport for private causes.

Kings middle JaVale McGee was out attributable to sickness.