Trey Murphy III stepped into the limelight, scoring 28 points while filling in for the absent Zion Williamson due to illness, as the New Orleans Pelicans (17-12) dominated the second half to secure a convincing 123-104 win against the undermanned Cleveland Cavaliers (16-13) on Thursday night.
CJ McCollum added 18 points, and Brandon Ingram chipped in 17 for the Pelicans, showcasing a resilient team effort despite the ongoing health challenges.
Dean Wade led the Cavaliers with 20 points, and Isaac Okoro contributed 16. However, the Cavaliers played without their top three scorers — Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley — creating a challenging scenario as the trio combines for an average of 63 points per game.
