It's a familiar, gut-wrenching feeling for Pelicans fans: another late-game collapse snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. This time, it was a 122-116 loss to a Denver Nuggets team missing their superstar, Nikola Jokic. The question is: How does a team squander such an opportunity?
This WVUE report from New Orleans details how the Pelicans, despite holding a lead for a significant portion of the game, couldn't close the deal against a shorthanded Nuggets squad on Tuesday night, January 13th. Think about it: the Nuggets were without their three-time NBA MVP and seven-time All-Star center, Nikola Jokic, who's been sidelined with a hyperextended left knee since December 29th. This was supposed to be the Pelicans' golden opportunity! But here's where it gets controversial... Was it simply bad luck, or a deeper issue with the team's late-game execution?
Jamal Murray exploded for 35 points, and Peyton Watson contributed a surprising 31 points, fueling Denver's comeback. The Nuggets ultimately sealed the win by outscoring New Orleans 16-6 in the final four minutes – a devastating blow to the Pelicans' hopes. It's a tale of two halves, or rather, a tale of three and three-quarters versus one-quarter.
The Pelicans actually controlled the game for a considerable stretch, seizing the lead early in the second quarter and maintaining it well into the fourth. They even built a nine-point advantage (69-60) with just over ten minutes remaining in the third. Even after multiple lead changes in the fourth, New Orleans held a four-point lead (110-106) with 4:04 left on the clock. And this is the part most people miss... It wasn't just about the Nuggets getting hot; it was about the Pelicans freezing up under pressure.
Then came the fateful 16-6 run by Denver to close the game, sending the Pelicans spiraling to a 6-18 record at the Smoothie King Center. Ouch. Trey Murphy III had a standout performance for New Orleans, leading the team with 31 points. He's been on a tear in January, averaging an impressive 31.3 points in the first five games of the year. But individual brilliance wasn't enough to secure the win.
Statistically, the Pelicans dominated the boards, outrebounding the Nuggets 50-33. But here's the critical point: turnovers. New Orleans coughed up the ball 14 times, double Denver's seven. Those extra possessions proved costly. Saddiq Bey chipped in with 17 points, while Jordan Poole (16), Zion Williamson (12), Derik Queen (10), and Jeremiah Fears (10) all reached double figures. While a balanced scoring attack is generally a positive sign, the distribution of points raises another question: Were the Pelicans relying too heavily on too many players, instead of funneling the ball to the hottest hands down the stretch?
The Pelicans have a quick turnaround, hosting the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. on the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network. Will they be able to bounce back from this disheartening loss, or will the late-game struggles continue to plague them? What adjustments do they need to make to prevent future collapses? Let your voice be heard in the comments below!
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