Pelicans Sink Franchise Record 25 Three Pointers en Route to a 132-112 Win Over Hornets

Veteran forward Brandon Ingram had a triple double with 28 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds while the Pelicans had a franchise record 25 three point baskets as New Orleans beat the visiting Charlotte Hornets 132-112 on January 17th. New Orleans improved to 25-17 on the season, and is a game ahead of the second place Dallas Mavericks in the Southeast Division standings. The Pelicans are fifth in the overall Western Conference standings. Charlotte’s dismal season continues; the Hornets are now 8-30.

The Pelicans have been kind of an after thought in the NBA Western Conference the last five seasons with sub .500 records, except for last year when they finished 42-40. But they, along with Minnesota, Oklahoma City, and Sacramento, are emerging as playoff contenders after some down years.

Zion Williamson, the power forward from Duke who was drafted #1 overall in the 2019 NBA draft, has had an injury filled career. He appeared in 24 games his first year (2019-20) and 61 games in ’20-’21 before missing the entire 21-22 season with a foot injury. He was limited to 29 games in ’22-’23. This year he’s played in 34 of the Pelicans’ 42 games. But when he’s played, he’s put up some good numbers, averaging anywhere from 22.5 to 27 points per game, and 6.3 to 7.2 rebounds per game. This year, he leads the Pelicans with 21.9 points per game and is averaging 5.8 rebounds. Ingram is second in scoring average (21.6 ppg). Also of note is center Jonas Valanciunas, who is averaging 13.8 ppg and 9.5 rebounds. In all, seven players are averaging in double figures in scoring.

The Pelicans will be back in action on January 19th, hosting the Phoenix Suns. That will be followed by home games against Utah and Oklahoma City; after that, New Orleans will play eight of their next nine on the road.