The New Orleans Pelicans fell to the Denver Nuggets 122-88 on Wednesday night inside the Ball Arena in Denver. The loss is the fourth straight to start the season for the Pelicans.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After missing Monday’s game with a foot injury, Zion Williamson returned to the lineup for the Pelicans. He got New Orleans on the board early, scoring five of their first seven points on the night.
The teams went back and forth early, with Denver holding a small lead for most of the first quarter. Towards the end of the frame, multi-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic helped extend the lead. His layup to end the quarter made it a nine-point lead at 34-25. Jokic had 11 to lead all scorers after one.
In the second quarter, the Nuggets continued to control the tempo. They extended their lead, at one point stretching it to 18 points. Towards the end of the half, the Pelicans were able to cut into the lead. A 12-0 run ended the half, with Trey Murphy III scoring seven of those points to spark the run. That made it 53-47 Nuggets at the half.
Denver took complete control out of the locker room. They put up a 29-2 run, extending the lead to 33 and putting the game away halfway through the third.
After that run, Denver remained in full control. They handled the Pels and got the win in comfortable fashion.
BIG NUMBER: 27
After getting the deficit down to six at the break, the Pelicans were out scored by 27 in a 29-2 run to start the third. It was a non-competitive stretch of basketball for New Orleans.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Nikola Jokic
Jokic had a triple double with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. He was able to control the flow of the game and lead the Nuggets to an easy win.
UP NEXT: The Pelicans stay on the road to face the LA Clippers in an NBA Cup Group Stage game on Halloween at 9:30 PM.