The New Orleans Pelicans flipped momentum late Saturday, but interim head coach James Borrego made it clear afterward that the 126-111 win was about more than a fourth-quarter run.
“Number one, very proud of the group,” Borrego said. “And DeAndre deserves a ton of credit number one… even more so than the numbers, the stats, the defense, it’s it’s been his leadership, his impact on our entire program.”
Veteran center DeAndre Jordan, making just his third appearance of the season, finished with 15 rebounds and four blocks in 32 minutes after not playing since Oct. 29.
“To be a good defensive ball club in this league, you got to have some type of physicality, rim protection, deterrence, presence in the middle, and he provided that tonight,” Borrego said. “He was phenomenal defensively in so many ways and even shots he didn’t block… they weren’t sure if they wanted to get in there.”
Borrego revealed the decision to start Jordan came from instinct.
“I slept on it last night,” he said. “In my gut was saying to make this move… when he got to the arena, I had a quick conversation with him. He was ready to go and we made the move.”
The impact showed after halftime, when New Orleans outscored the Philadelphia 76ers 69-46 over the final two quarters.
“We kept pounding,” Borrego said. “You don’t read the scoreboard. I can live with that performance whether we won or not. That team competed. They defended. They cared.”
New Orleans shot 50 percent from three (17-of-34) and placed seven players in double figures, including 23 points from Jordan Poole.
“He made mature plays, decisive plays, simple plays,” Borrego said of Poole’s five assists and zero turnovers. “The shot making was phenomenal… but that’s the edge we’re looking for is the decision-making.”
Borrego also addressed Zion Williamson’s evolving role, noting that his usage is down but efficiency remains high.
“The usage might be down a little bit, but the efficiency is up,” Borrego said. “He’s bought into this. He’s been efficient and he’s healthy and he’s available. This is the best stretch of his career.”
Borrego emphasized balance over hierarchy.
“The goal is to share it, move it. We don’t care who gets the shot. We just want the right shot,” he said. “When you cover for one another… they felt like one unit out there tonight.”
The Pelicans improved to 16-42 and will host Golden State on Tuesday, but Borrego’s focus was forward-looking.
“I was disappointed last night,” he admitted, referencing the previous loss. “We came back today with a spirit of pride… The goal is what do you do with this?”
“We’ll enjoy this one tonight and tomorrow,” he said. “But it’s back to work Monday.”
