National Basketball Association
New Orleans 127, L.A. Clippers 120
When: 8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Officials:
#24 Kevin Scott, #87 Danielle Scott, #26 Pat Fraher
Attendance:
17363
By Field Level Media
Zion Williamson had his second career triple-double while leading a balanced scoring effort as the host New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 127-120 on Tuesday night.
Williamson finished with 22 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds just 11 days after recording his first triple-double. CJ McCollum posted 23 points and seven assists, Trey Murphy III had 21 points, Karlo Matkovic added 15, Jose Alvarado had 14 and Bruce Brown scored 12 and Jordan Hawkins added 11 for the Pelicans, who ended a four-game skid.
Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points, James Harden had 25 points and 17 assists, and Ivica Zubac had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers, who were coached by assistant Brian Shaw for a second consecutive game while head coach Tyronn Lue is sidelined because of back pain. Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. scored 11 points apiece.
The Pelicans led by 10 at halftime, but the Clippers used a 7-0 run to get within 65-62 on a 3-pointer from Nicolas Batum. New Orleans increased the lead to seven points before Leonard made two 3-pointers and Harden sank one during an 11-2 run that gave L.A. its first lead of the game, 77-75.
New Orleans scored the next five points and the lead changed hands two more times before Murphy made two 3-pointers and McCollum hit one, helping the Pelicans take a 98-90 lead at the end of the quarter.
Alvarado made treys to start and finish a 12-3 run as New Orleans expanded the lead to 17. The Clippers chipped away and got within four with 2:33 left, but Williamson responded by scoring on a drive.
Los Angeles got within three before Williamson made two free throws and fed Alvarado for a layup with 24 seconds left that made it 123-116.
The Pelicans built an 11-point lead before the Clippers trimmed it to 28-21 at the end of the opening period.
New Orleans used a 15-2 run that featured seven straight points by Matkovic to produce a 20-point lead. Los Angeles crept within 13 points before Alvarado made two 3-pointers and the Pelicans took their biggest lead, 55-34.
Leonard scored six points and Harden added five to help the Clippers get within 61-51 entering halftime.
--Field Level Media
Top Game Performances
L.A. Clippers |
|
New Orleans |
Kawhi Leonard 29 |
Scoring |
CJ McCollum 23 |
James Harden 17 |
Assists |
Zion Williamson 12 |
Ivica Zubac 11 |
Rebounds |
Zion Williamson 10 |
James Harden 9 |
Free Throws Made |
Zion Williamson 6 |
Kris Dunn 3 |
Steals |
CJ McCollum 3 |
Ivica Zubac 4 |
Blocks |
Karlo Matkovic 2 |
Team Stats Summary
Team |
Points |
FG% |
3PM-3PA |
FTM-FTA |
Assists |
Rebounds |
Blocks |
Steals |
Turnovers |
L.A. Clippers
|
120 |
50.0 |
14-42 |
14-18 |
34 |
34 |
8 |
10 |
11 |
New Orleans
|
127 |
55.3 |
17-31 |
16-18 |
34 |
46 |
7 |
7 |
19 |
Upcoming Games
-
New Orleans will play their next game at home against Orlando. The Pelicans have a W/L % of .412 after a win and .224 after a loss.
-
L.A. Clippers will play their next game on the road against Miami. The Clippers have a W/L % of .583 after a win and .483 after a loss.