Pelicans Prove Heart and Resilience in Epic Comeback Win
The New Orleans Pelicans faced long odds Monday night – missing Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and others to injury, trailing the Utah Jazz by 25, on the road. But this gritty Pelicans squad, led by veteran stars CJ McCollum and Dejounte Murray, simply refused to quit. What followed was the greatest comeback in Pelicans franchise history, a 123-119 overtime triumph that spoke volumes about the team’s character.
McCollum was magnificent, pouring in 45 points punctuated by clutch threes and acrobatic finishes. Murray stuffed the stat sheet with 26 points, 11 assists, 9 rebounds and relentless defensive pressure. Rookie Jordan Hawkins provided a spark with 18 points and 3 triples off the bench.
Huge credit to our guys in the locker room pulling together. This was a hard game to win.
– Pelicans coach Willie Green
Winning Formula: Veteran Leadership and Young Talent
McCollum and Murray are the steady hands guiding this ship through choppy waters. The 33-year-old McCollum’s skill, IQ and shotmaking have aged like a fine wine. Murray’s return from early-season injury has stabilized both ends of the floor. Meanwhile, the continued emergence of youngsters like Hawkins, Trey Murphy III (24 pts), and Yves Missi is an encouraging sign for the future.
Silver Linings: Finding a Way Through Adversity
At 12-32, it would be easy for the Pelicans to pack it in, especially given the unending injuries to stars like Williamson (illness) and Ingram (ankle). But to their credit, they continue to dig deep and find ways to compete. After several close losses, securing this win against a physical Utah team that dominated the glass and paint is the kind of momentum-builder that can galvanize a struggling squad.
Sometimes, it’s not Xs and Os. It’s Jimmies and Joes.
– CJ McCollum
Key Takeaways and Looking Ahead
- CJ McCollum proving he’s still an elite scorer and closer
- Dejounte Murray rounding into form as a two-way force
- Young role players like Hawkins and Murphy stepping up
- Fighting spirit and resilience in the face of injuries and adversity
The Pelicans will look to ride this momentum into a Wednesday home tilt against the Milwaukee Bucks. While the season outlook remains murky, performances like this prove there’s still plenty of fight left in this squad. If they can get healthier and continue to gel, a second-half surge isn’t out of the question. For one night in Utah, against all odds, the Pelicans showed their immense potential.
