Jayson Tatum delivered a standout performance with 38 points and 11 rebounds as the Boston Celtics edged the New Orleans Pelicans 120-119 on Sunday. The defending champions improved to 28-11, narrowly escaping defeat against one of the league’s bottom-tier teams.
Kristaps Porzingis contributed a double-double with 19 points and 11 boards, while Payton Pritchard and Al Horford added 11 points each off the bench.
The Celtics survived a late-game scare after a five-second violation on an inbound play gave the Pelicans a chance to steal the win, but CJ McCollum’s contested layup missed as time expired.
New Orleans welcomed Zion Williamson back to the lineup following his one-game suspension. Williamson finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in 28 minutes. Trey Murphy III led the Pelicans with 30 points, including five three-pointers, and Dejounte Murray filled the stat sheet with 26 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.
The Pelicans took control early, capitalizing on Boston’s shooting struggles. The Celtics made just one of their first 11 three-point attempts, allowing New Orleans to build an 11-point lead in the first quarter. Despite finishing with a subpar 29.5% from beyond the arc and shooting 43.6% overall, Boston found a way to claw back into the game.
Tatum’s aggressive play and timely buckets helped the Celtics weather New Orleans’ balanced attack. Boston also dominated the boards, outrebounding the Pelicans 55-42, including 18 offensive rebounds that created crucial second-chance opportunities.
The Pelicans, now 8-32, showed flashes of competitiveness despite their record. However, injuries and Williamson’s limited availability have hindered their progress. The team’s shooting efficiency—45.9% from three and 46.5% overall—kept them within striking distance throughout the game.