The New Orleans Pelicans didn’t just get a win on Friday night - they earned a statement victory. Down by 18 on the road against one of the league’s top teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Pelicans clawed their way back and pulled off a gritty 119-115 win. For a team that’s struggled to close games all season, this was a much-needed reminder of what they’re capable of when their stars show up and the pieces start to click.
Let’s start with Zion Williamson, who looked every bit the dominant force fans have been waiting to see in crunch time. He finished with 29 points on a blistering 11-of-13 shooting night, and it wasn’t just the efficiency that stood out - it was the timing.
With 35 seconds left and the game hanging in the balance, Zion powered through contact for a clutch and-one that gave the Pelicans the lead. That’s the kind of late-game aggression New Orleans has been missing, and it’s exactly what you want from your franchise cornerstone.
Saddiq Bey continues to be one of the season’s most pleasant surprises. He poured in another high-scoring performance, marking his third game with at least 30 points and his 17th with 20 or more.
Bey’s emergence as a go-to scorer wasn’t on many preseason bingo cards, but he’s become a consistent offensive weapon. And when you consider he’s set to make just $6.4 million next year, that production becomes even more valuable.
It’s hard to imagine the front office not locking in on him as a long-term piece - extension talks feel like a matter of when, not if.
Trey Murphy, meanwhile, seems to have shaken off his shooting slump in emphatic fashion. He dropped 26 points and went 6-of-10 from three, bringing his total to 18 made threes over the last two games - a new franchise record.
When Murphy is hitting like this, it completely changes the spacing and flow of the Pelicans’ offense. He’s not just a shooter; he’s a momentum-shifter.
And then there’s Derik Queen, who quietly had one of the most encouraging performances of the night. Known more for his interior presence, Queen went a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc.
That’s not just a fluke - it’s a potential game-changer. Coming into the night, Queen had hit just eight of his first 43 career three-point attempts (18.6%).
But over his last four games, he’s 6-of-8. That’s a small sample, sure, but the confidence he showed - especially on a couple of deep looks from the top of the arc - suggests he’s starting to believe in that shot.
If he can keep stretching the floor like this, it opens up a whole new dimension for New Orleans offensively.
All told, this was a team win in every sense. The Pelicans didn’t fold after falling behind early.
They responded with poise, energy, and execution - all things that have eluded them in key moments this season. And while there’s still a long road ahead, games like this are the ones that stick in the minds of decision-makers.
If James Borrego is making his case to stay on as the full-time head coach, this comeback effort is a strong bullet point on his résumé.
For a team sitting at 14-40, moral victories don’t cut it anymore. But this wasn’t one of those. This was a real win - and one that might just signal a turning point.