CJ McCollum delivered a career high-tying performance with 50 points, including 10 three-pointers, to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to a 132-120 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night. The Pelicans snapped an 11-game losing streak and secured just their second win in 22 games.
McCollum shot an impressive 18-of-27 from the field and 10-of-16 from beyond the arc, carrying the Pelicans, who hold the NBA’s worst record at 6-29, to a much-needed win. New Orleans tied their season-high with 18 three-pointers, shooting 43.9% from deep.
Trey Murphy added 17 points, and rookie center Yves Missi contributed a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Pelicans benefitted from the return of Jose Alvarado, who had missed 23 games with a hamstring injury. Alvarado logged five points, three assists, and three steals in 20 minutes off the bench.
For the Wizards, Jordan Poole led the scoring with 26 points but was limited after a hard fall in the third quarter. Rookie center Alexandre Sarr added 19 points and seven rebounds, while Malcolm Brogdon chipped in 16 points off the bench.
Washington dominated the paint with a season-high 72 points but struggled with perimeter shooting, going just 9-of-28 from three-point range. Defensive lapses also allowed New Orleans to score their season-high in points.
The Pelicans’ defensive intensity, led by Herbert Jones and Dejounte Murray, played a key role in neutralizing the Wizards late in the game. Murray dished out 12 assists, while Jones contributed six assists and two steals.
The Wizards, now 6-26, share the league’s fewest wins with the Pelicans. Despite solid contributions from Sarr and Brogdon, Washington failed to recover from their defensive breakdowns and inconsistent shooting in the second half.
