By Eric Jay Santos
On Saturday, the New Orleans Pelicans faced a 123-118 loss from the Sacramento Kings. This was the Pelicans’ first game since trading Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors for Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk.
Zion Willamson scored a season-high 40 points on 76.2-percent field goal shooting. CJ McCollum added 30 points for New Orleans’ offense, while Yves Missi registered 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Domantas Sabonis registered his 46th double-double of the season, totaling 27 points and 16 rebounds for Sacramento. Meanwhile, Zach LaVine added 22 points in his third game as a member of the Kings.
New Orleans led by nine points at halftime, though the Kings shifted momentum after a 22-9 run in the third quarter. Despite a 14-point deficit in the final frame, the Pelicans clawed to a one-point deficit with three minutes left in regulation. CJ McCollum made two free throws to bring New Orleans to within three points with 15 seconds left, but Jonas Valanciunas sealed the game for Sacramento with two made free throws of his own.
New Orleans now holds a 12-40 season record. They are on an eight-game losing streak.