The New Orleans Pelicans’ struggles deepened on Wednesday night as they suffered a 119-111 loss to the Sacramento Kings, extending their losing streak to 10 games. Zion Williamson delivered another stellar performance, leading all scorers with 33 points and adding nine rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to halt the team’s skid.
Despite outscoring the Kings 70-40 in the paint, the Pelicans’ shooting woes from beyond the arc (8 of 32) and at the free-throw line proved decisive. Trey Murphy III contributed 19 points, while Jose Alvaradoadded 18 and CJ McCollum chipped in with 14. The Pelicans stayed competitive through 13 lead changes and 12 ties but faltered in the final five minutes as the Kings pulled away with an 11-2 run sparked by Zach LaVine’s clutch three-pointer.
New Orleans showed heart but couldn’t match Sacramento’s firepower from long range or their bench depth. Keon Ellis’ seven three-pointers and 27-point outburst, along with LaVine’s 23 points and DeMar DeRozan’s 24, highlighted the Kings’ offensive efficiency. Bruce Brown debuted for the Pelicans but struggled to make an impact, scoring four points in 26 minutes.
The Pelicans will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to host the Kings for a rematch on Thursday, with hopes of snapping this frustrating skid. The team’s ability to improve their three-point shooting and capitalize on paint dominance will be key to ending their losing streak and regaining momentum in a competitive Western Conference.
