The Sacramento Kings erased a 20-point deficit to secure a 123-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night, extending New Orleans’ losing streak to eight games.
Domantas Sabonis recorded 27 points and 16 rebounds, marking his league-leading 46th double-double of the season. Zach LaVine added 22 points in his best outing since joining Sacramento, while Keegan Murray contributed 19 points and eight rebounds.
Zion Williamson delivered a dominant performance with a season-high 40 points on 16-of-21 shooting. CJ McCollum finished with 31 points, and Trey Murphy III added 20 for New Orleans.
The Pelicans started strong, building a 29-9 lead in the first quarter, but Sacramento chipped away at the deficit. After Sabonis picked up his fourth foul with 4:30 remaining in the third quarter, the Kings closed the period on a 22-9 run.
Jonas Valančiūnas, who was acquired by Sacramento at the trade deadline, made two key free throws late in the game to help seal the victory.
New Orleans closed the gap to 121-118 after McCollum hit a pair of free throws with 15.2 seconds left. Sacramento held on, securing its 26th win of the season while dropping the Pelicans to 12-40.
The Kings struggled with perimeter shooting, making just 11-of-41 attempts from beyond the arc. Despite the loss, New Orleans shot 38.9% from three-point range, matching its highest total over the last nine games with 14 made threes.
McCollum and Jose Alvarado combined for 36 points, 12 assists, and four steals, forcing the Kings to adjust their defensive strategy on Williamson. Keon Ellis provided a spark off the bench with 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting, including three three-pointers.
The Kings dominated the rebounding battle 51-39, with Sabonis leading the way inside.
