By Rell Wright, Pelicans Contributor

The New Orleans Pelicans ended a frustrating 10-game losing streak in dramatic fashion, outlasting the Sacramento Kings 140-133 in overtime on Thursday night. CJ McCollum was the hero, erupting for 37 of his 43 points after halftime, including a dominant 11-point overtime performance that sealed the victory.

With Zion Williamson sitting out for rest as he recovers from a hamstring injury, McCollum shouldered the load, hitting clutch shots and energizing the Pelicans when they needed it most.

Supporting McCollum’s heroics, Jose Alvarado and Trey Murphy III added 18 points each, while reserves Jordan Hawkins and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl combined for 32 points off the bench. Karlo Matkovic delivered a career-high 13 points along with three blocks, showcasing the Pelicans’ depth in a pivotal moment.

The Pelicans displayed resilience in a game that could have slipped away. Up by three in the closing seconds of regulation, New Orleans’ strategic foul on Domantas Sabonis nearly backfired when Sacramento’s Malik Monk capitalized on a missed free throw to force overtime.

Despite the setback, the Pelicans regrouped, with McCollum draining three key triples in overtime to silence the Kings’ rally. Lacking Williamson’s interior dominance, the Pelicans leaned on their perimeter shooting, hitting 21 of 50 attempts from deep, highlighted by McCollum’s seven treys.

The victory not only broke the losing streak but also marked New Orleans’ first win over Sacramento in four meetings, a significant morale boost heading into their next matchup against Dallas.