Jaren Jackson Jr. recorded 24 points and 10 rebounds, and rookie Darryn Peterson made the go-ahead free throws with 50.5 seconds remaining as the Utah Jazz edged the New Orleans Pelicans 120-119 on Friday night at Delta Center.
Peterson’s two free throws put Utah ahead late in a tightly contested finish, and the Jazz held on after the officials upheld a charging foul on Zion Williamson. Dejounte Murray missed a pull-up jumper just before the final buzzer, sealing New Orleans’ second consecutive loss to open the season.
Keyonte George added 19 points and 10 assists for Utah (1-1), while Jaxson Hayes scored 17 points on 7-for-8 shooting from the field. Lauri Markkanen contributed 16 points, six rebounds and four three-pointers.
Williamson led the Pelicans with 23 points on 8-for-12 shooting, while Saddiq Bey scored 20 points off the bench, making three of his five attempts from beyond the arc. Murray finished with 16 points, six rebounds and six assists.
New Orleans appeared to have taken control after trailing by as many as 15 points. Murray, who was scoreless in the first half, scored his first 12 points during a 31-13 Pelicans run that turned the game around. New Orleans forced eight steals in the third quarter and carried a 90-86 lead into the fourth.
Jackson helped Utah recover in the final period, scoring nine of his points in the fourth quarter and blocking a Williamson attempt. The Jazz outscored New Orleans 34-29 in the final 12 minutes to complete the comeback and snap an eight-game losing streak against the Pelicans.
The game also brought an injury concern for New Orleans. Starting center Yves Missi injured his left knee in the second quarter after Williamson fell into his leg following a blocked driving attempt by Hayes. Missi was helped to the locker room and did not return. The Pelicans said he would be re-evaluated Saturday.
New Orleans will visit the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, while Utah will host the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday in the return of former Jazz center Walker Kessler.
