In a nail-biting finish, Brandon Ingram came through in the clutch, sinking a turnaround jumper with just 4.9 seconds left on the clock to lift the New Orleans Pelicans to a 105-103 comeback win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.
The Pelicans battled back from a challenging start, where they trailed by double digits early, showing their resilience and knack for timely plays. Ingram’s heroics capped off a back-and-forth showdown and delivered the Pelicans their first win of the season after a hard-fought rally.
The game’s momentum shifted in the final quarter when CJ McCollum sparked the Pelicans’ offense with a crucial 3-pointer and a floater that tied the game at 91. Rookie Jordan Hawkins added two free throws to put New Orleans in front, and Daniel Theis followed up with a layup that extended the lead to 97-91.
The Blazers, however, fought back, with Anfernee Simons nailing a jumper to regain the lead with just over two minutes to go. But in the closing seconds, Ingram took charge, hitting the game-winner over Simons, sealing the victory for New Orleans.
Jordan Hawkins led the Pelicans’ scoring with an impressive 24 points, while Zion Williamson contributed 16 points in his season debut after missing the opener due to illness. For Portland, Jerami Grant was a force to be reckoned with, scoring 34 points, including eight 3-pointers. The Pelicans and Trail Blazers will clash again on Sunday, with New Orleans looking to continue their winning momentum at the Moda Center.
