Sacramento — New Orleans completed a five-game season sweep of Sacramento with a 135-123 win against the Kings on Thursday night. CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson each scored 31 points.
Williamson scored 23 points in the second half after leaving the locker room with a left wrist injury late in the second quarter. “Proving myself right,” he stated of his performance. As simple as that. It means a lot that my teammates and coaches believe me.” McCollum tied a season record with nine 3-pointers in 12 attempts and added seven assists to help the Pelicans avoid the play-in tournament. They're sixth in the Western Conference, the last playoff spot.
“For us, it’s about continuing to win, giving ourselves a chance to accomplish what we want, which is making the playoffs and then making a run,” McCollum said. Trey Murphy III scored 27 and Jonas Valanciunas scored 13 and 10 rebounds.
New Orleans equaled the Celtics for the NBA lead with 27-14 road wins, a team record. With two games left, the Pelicans (48-32) lead the Suns for the sixth seed.
“It’s extremely difficult to win any game in the NBA, let alone go in someone else’s building and carve out a win,” New Orleans coach Willie Green said. “To be honest, I don't know how we're doing it. But we are. Our goal is to build on those advantages. It's fantastic to know we can travel together and win games well.”
Sacramento lost for the fourth time in five games and missed the play-in tournament despite De'Aaron Fox's 33 points and eight assists. The Kings (45-35) tie the Lakers and Warriors for sixth.
“If we could have finished in sixth, I wanted that more than anything else,” Sacramento coach Mike Brown said. Or fifth. However, here is where we are, so let's get it, learn from it, and see what happens. However, I welcome any postseason opportunity.”
Domantas Sabonis scored 18 points and 10 rebounds for his 75th double-double, the most in a season since Moses Malone had 77 in 1978-79. Harrison Barnes added 22 points. The Pelicans led 34-11 after an 18-0 run, but Sacramento scored 15 straight points to come within eight early in the second quarter.
New Orleans led 64-58 at halftime and never trailed. The Pelicans shot 57% and made 22/40 3-pointers. “They hit us first,” Fox claimed. They probably got in. I thought we had several excellent looks that didn't go down. I thought they started the game well.” Sacramento hit 16 of 38 3s and shot 55%. New Orleans missed forward Brandon Ingram for the 11th straight game, but he is nearing a left knee bone contusion recovery.
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