By Eric Jay Santos
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the New Orleans Pelicans took a 123-119 overtime win against the Utah Jazz. Overcoming a 25-point deficit, the victory was the Pelicans’ largest comeback in franchise history.
With Zion Williamson inactive due to a non-Covid illness, CJ McCollum stepped up as New Orleans’ leader on the court. McCollum totaled 45 points and eight rebounds on 58.1 percent shooting. Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy III added a combined 50 points.
The Jazz had a variety of key contributors on offense and defense. Keyonte George scored 23 points, and Isaiah Collier recorded 20 points and 11 assists. Walker Kessler totaled 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Kyle Filipowski added 17 rebounds and 11 points.
Entering the fourth quarter facing a seven-point deficit, McCollum fueled the Pelicans’ momentum with 18 points over 11 minutes. With 16 seconds left, Murray’s driving layup brought the match to a tie. The Jazz had an opportunity to win with a buzzer-beater, but Isaiah Collier missed a jump shot from near the free-throw line.
After a series of back-and-forth sequences in overtime, the Pelicans held a 121-119 lead with 30 seconds remaining. McCollum missed a fadeaway jumper, but Daniel Theis’ rebound at the nine-second mark ensured that New Orleans could run out the clock. Utah then committed a desperation foul, and Murphy sank two free throws to seal the Pelicans’ comeback.