By Rell Wright, Pelicans Contributor
The New Orleans Pelicans endured a bruising night in Dallas, falling 132-91 to the Mavericks in a one-sided NBA Cup contest. Missing five rotation players, including All-Star Zion Williamson, the undermanned Pelicans struggled to match the Mavericks’ firepower.
Trey Murphy III provided a bright spot with a season-high 19 points, showing promise in just his fourth game of the season after battling hamstring issues. Rookie Yves Missi added hustle on the glass, pulling down a game-high nine rebounds in the first half. Yet, the Pelicans couldn’t overcome their offensive struggles or Dallas’ dominance in the paint, where they were outscored 66-34.
Despite the lopsided result, New Orleans showed flashes of fight, cutting the lead to 16 late in the third quarter. However, back-to-back deep threes from Kyrie Irving quickly extinguished any hope of a comeback.
The loss marked the Pelicans’ 11th defeat in their last 13 games, highlighting the team’s challenges amid injuries and inconsistent performances. With a quick turnaround, New Orleans will look to regroup as they head to Cleveland to face the Cavaliers, hoping to find momentum and get their season back on track.
