By Rell Wright, Pelicans Contributor

In a game that showcased grit and resilience, the New Orleans Pelicans narrowly fell to the Los Angeles Clippers 116-113 on Monday night, extending their struggles to 10 straight losses. The Pelicans stormed out with energy, leading by as many as 14 points late in the second quarter, fueled by Trey Murphy’s sharp shooting and CJ McCollum’s scoring explosion.

McCollum hit a remarkable eight three-pointers, finishing with 33 points, while Herb Jones and Murphy added 18 apiece. Despite their best offensive showing in weeks, including a season-high 18 three-pointers, the Pelicans were unable to maintain their lead against a Clippers team that capitalized on second-chance opportunities and clutch moments.

The game came down to the wire, with rookie Yves Missi’s impressive 12-point, nine-rebound, and five-block effort almost helping to pull off the upset. However, a critical free throw miss in the final seconds and a controversial officiating call shifted the momentum to the Clippers. James Harden, who scored 27 points, sank go-ahead free throws with 17.9 seconds left and iced the game with two more in the final seconds after Ivica Zubac’s crucial jump ball win.

The Pelicans’ spirited effort, marked by Dejounte Murray’s tenacity on defense and McCollum’s shooting heroics, wasn’t enough to overcome their opponents’ advantages in the paint and second-chance scoring. As the team prepares to face the Miami Heat on Wednesday, they’ll look to build on the positives from this game and break their frustrating skid.