The Pelicans Overcome the Trail Blazers in a Nail-Biting Encounter

In a thrilling NBA showdown, Brandon Ingram, with only 4.9 seconds left on the clock, hit a decisive jumper that powered the New Orleans Pelicans to a gripping 105-103 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers last Friday night. The Pelicans, who were trailing for most of the game, made an impressive comeback, making the night one to remember.

The Comeback Story of the Pelicans

The match seemed to be slipping away from the Pelicans until CJ McCollum’s 3-pointer and floating shot leveled the score at 91 with just over eight minutes remaining. Jordan Hawkins then stepped up and clinched free throws to put New Orleans ahead. Daniel Theis extended the lead further with a layup, making it 97-91. However, the Trail Blazers weren’t going down without a fight. Anfernee Simons’ jumper put Portland back in the lead with just over two minutes left on the clock. After a few intense back-and-forth exchanges, it was Ingram’s shot that sealed the deal for the Pelicans.

Stellar Performances

Hawkins emerged as the top scorer for the Pelicans with an impressive 24 points. Zion Williamson, who had been sidelined due to illness during the season opener against Chicago, returned to the starting lineup, contributing 16 points to the Pelican’s victory. The Trail Blazers had a promising start, leading 27-15 in the first quarter, and maintained a double-digit lead for most of the first half, ending the half leading 47-37.

Key Takeaways

For the Pelicans, Dejounte Murray is expected to be out of action for four to six weeks due to a hand injury he suffered in the season opener against the Chicago Bulls. Jose Alvarado took his place in the starting lineup. The Trail Blazers’ rookie, Donovan Clingan, made a notable contribution defensively, with three blocks in the first half, despite only playing seven minutes. He finished the game with four points and four blocks in 14 minutes.

Key Moments and Stats

The defining moment of the game came when Ingram drove into the paint against Simons, making a contested turnaround jumper, which gave the Pelicans a 105-103 lead, with only 4.9 seconds remaining. Jerami Grant broke his personal best for the Blazers, racking up an impressive 34 points, including eight 3-pointers, surpassing his previous record of seven set against Cleveland in 2022.

Looking Forward

The excitement continues as the Pelicans and the Blazers are set to meet again at the Moda Center on Sunday afternoon. Fans and NBA enthusiasts alike are anticipating another thrilling encounter between these two competitive teams.