By Rell Wright, Pelicans Contributor

The New Orleans Pelicans delivered a commanding performance on Monday night, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 112-99 at the Smoothie King Center. Despite missing two key players, the Pelicans showcased their depth and resilience, snapping a two-game losing streak and energizing the home crowd.

Matkovic’s Breakout Performance

Karlo Matkovic led the charge for New Orleans with a season-high 19 points and eight assists, solidifying his role as a key contributor. The versatile forward’s ability to facilitate the offense and score efficiently gave the Pelicans the edge they needed.

“Karlo’s performance tonight was exceptional,” head coach Willie Green said. “He stepped up when we needed him most and set the tone for the team.”

Supporting Cast Shines

Antonio Reeves drained five three-pointers en route to 17 points, providing a much-needed perimeter threat. Rookie Yves Missi also made an impact, finishing with 16 points and nine rebounds. Veterans Kelly Olynyk and Keion Brooks Jr. added crucial support, with Olynyk tallying a double-double (14 points and 11 rebounds).

The Pelicans shot an impressive 43% (15-for-35) from beyond the arc, a marked improvement from their early-game struggles. After going just 4-for-17 from deep in the first half, New Orleans found their rhythm in the third quarter, hitting 8 of 11 shots from distance.

Overcoming Adversity

The Pelicans’ victory came without Zion Williamson, who missed his third straight game after a hard fall against Minnesota last week, and CJ McCollum, who sat out following a 40-point performance in Sunday’s loss to Detroit. Despite these absences, the Pelicans’ bench players stepped up, demonstrating the team’s depth and determination.

“It’s tough not having Zion and CJ out there, but our guys rallied together,” Green said. “We’re building something special here, and tonight was a great example of that.“