Brandon Ingram’s pivotal 3-pointer and Trey Murphy III’s resilience from beyond the arc, combined with Larry Nance Jr.’s energy in the paint, propelled the New Orleans Pelicans to a much-needed 112-105 win over the Utah Jazz during Thursday’s NBA action. This victory marked a departure from the Pelicans’ recent trend of faltering in the closing stages of tight games.
Ingram, who tallied 26 points, played a crucial role in the final minutes, helping the Pelicans to break away from a closely contested game. Nance, returning from a 13-game absence due to a rib injury, emphasized the team’s enhanced determination and refusal to back down.
“It just felt like more grit, more scrap,” Nance said. “It didn’t feel like we were wasting clock, playing not to lose.”
The Pelicans’ latest performance contrasted sharply with their previous three losses, each by two points or less, often after relinquishing substantial leads in the second half. Nance praised the team’s execution and aggressive play in the final minutes.
“We were executing and scoring,” Nance said. “They can’t guard us, so why would we let off the gas?”
Following Ingram’s key 3-pointer, Dyson Daniels made a standout play, securing a loose ball and delivering a clever pass that set up Murphy for his first successful 3-point shot of the game. Nance then added to the momentum with a dunk, assisted by Zion Williamson.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Trey Murphy III, Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz Updates
The Jazz, led by Collin Sexton’s 26 points and Lauri Markkanen’s double-double, remained in contention but ultimately fell short. Coach Will Hardy acknowledged his team’s sluggish decision-making and credited the Pelicans for their critical plays in crunch time.
“I want the team to feel — to be upset about losing for sure tonight, but I think overall to feel pretty good about where they’re at as a team,” Hardy said. “We’ve been playing much better basketball the last three weeks.”
For the Pelicans, Williamson recorded his second consecutive double-double, and CJ McCollum added 22 points, aiding in snapping their two-game losing streak. Williamson highlighted the team’s evolving strategy, focusing on exploiting favorable matchups.
“We’re figuring it out,” Williamson said. “Depending on the night and what matchups we like, I think we’ll attack that.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Trey Murphy III, Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz Updates
Nance’s return bolstered the Pelicans’ defense and energy, with coach Willie Green commending his impact. Utah, despite the loss, remained positive about their recent progress as a team.
“Having Larry back was huge for us. That’s the Larry we’re all accustomed to,” Green said. “He worked his tail off to get himself ready to come in and play and be who he is to this team.”
Looking forward, the Jazz will host the Miami Heat, while the Pelicans are set to face the Los Angeles Lakers in their upcoming fixtures.
