The New Orleans Pelicans (33-22) secured a 133-126 victory over the Washington Wizards (9-45) on Wednesday night, with Deni Avdija delivering a career-best performance with 43 points.
Avdija, who scored 20 points in the third quarter alone, also contributed a season-high 14 rebounds, keeping the Wizards competitive until the final minutes of the game.
Advdija’s effort was supported by Cory Kispert’s 20 points, as well as 19 points from Jordan Poole.
Led by Zion Williamson’s 36 points and CJ McCollum’s 26, the Pelicans overcame Avdija’s remarkable display to clinch the win and head into the All-Star break on a high note. Brandon Ingram contributed 18 points for New Orleans.
Despite Avdija’s standout performance, the Wizards couldn’t halt their losing streak, extending it to eight consecutive games.
The game featured several intense moments, including a brief altercation between Landry Shamet and Larry Nance Jr., resulting in technical fouls for both players.
While Avdija’s stellar outing provided a silver lining for the Wizards, the Pelicans’ balanced scoring attack ultimately proved too much for Washington to overcome.
