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Pelicans edge Trail Blazers in Zion Williamson’s return

Brandon Ingram hit a jumper with 4.9 seconds remaining to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to a 105-103 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night. The win marked a successful return for Zion Williamson, who scored 16 points in his first game of the season.

The Pelicans faced a challenging start, falling behind 27-15 in the first quarter. They trailed by double digits for most of the first half, entering halftime down 47-37. New Orleans struggled initially but showed resilience in the second half.

CJ McCollum’s three-pointer and floater tied the game at 91 with 8:20 left in the fourth quarter. Following that, Jordan Hawkins made key free throws, allowing New Orleans to take the lead at 97-91 after a layup from Daniel Theis.

Portland’s Anfernee Simons responded with a jumper, reclaiming the lead for the Trail Blazers at 103-102 with 2:24 remaining. The game went back and forth until Ingram secured the win with his decisive jumper.

Hawkins led the Pelicans with 24 points, showcasing his scoring ability. In addition to Williamson’s return, McCollum contributed 20 points, and Ingram finished with 21 points. The Pelicans relied on their strong offensive performance in the second half.

The Pelicans faced challenges in their lineup, with Dejounte Murray expected to miss four to six weeks due to a hand injury. Jose Alvarado replaced Murray in the starting lineup, providing depth to the team.

On the Trail Blazers’ side, Jerami Grant led all scorers with 34 points, including eight three-pointers. This performance marked a career high for Grant in three-pointers, breaking his previous record of seven against Cleveland in 2022.

Rookie Donovan Clingan had an impactful performance for Portland. He played 14 minutes, registering four points and four blocks, showcasing his defensive skills. Clingan’s contributions provided a spark off the bench.

Despite their strong start, the Trail Blazers could not maintain their lead in the second half. They made 21 of their first 30 shots but struggled to find consistency after halftime. The Blazers finished with a shooting percentage of 43.8% for the game.

Game Recap: Pelicans 105, Trail Blazers 103
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