The New Orleans Pelicans faltered after an early 8-0 run, ultimately falling 125-103 to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. Jerami Grant led Portland with 28 points, while Anfernee Simons added 27 points and six assists, fueling the Blazers’ offense. Deandre Ayton also made a significant impact, posting a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, helping Portland dominate the glass with a 51-39 rebounding advantage.
Despite CJ McCollum‘s strong 27-point performance against his former team, the Pelicans struggled to maintain momentum, trailing 59-47 by halftime and allowing the Blazers to extend the lead to 24 in the second half.
Zion Williamson, under a minutes restriction, had a challenging night, shooting only 3 for 12 from the field as he faced tough defensive plays, including two early blocks by rookie Donovan Clingan. The Pelicans also faced shooting woes, particularly from beyond the arc, hitting only 1 of 13 attempts in the first half compared to Portland’s 8 for 22. Head coach Willie Green’s squad will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for a challenging road game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.
