NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Pelicans interim coach James Borrego finally got to celebrate with his players Monday (Nov. 24), as they outlasted the Chicago Bulls, 143-130 at the Smoothie King Center.
Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego reacts during the first half of his team’s game against the Chicago Bulls on Monday (Nov. 24). (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)(Matthew Hinton | AP)
The scoring output was a season-high for the Pels (3-15), who snapped a nine-game losing streak that included an 0-5 start under Borrego since the firing of Coach Willie Green.
The victory ended nearly a month of frustration for a New Orleans team that had not won a game since Nov. 5 in Dallas.
The Pelicans finally got off to a fast start, outscoring the Bulls 37-30 in the first quarter and taking a 74-58 lead into the halftime break.
As has often been the case this season, New Orleans was outscored in the third period, but this time by only a single point. The Pelicans eventually built a lead as big as 21 points with 1:15 left in the third quarter.
Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 29 points, topping eight New Orleans players scoring in double figures.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) shoots against Chicago Bulls guard Jevon Carter (5) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)(Matthew Hinton | AP)
Trey Murphy III and Saddiq Bey each added 20 points, followed by 16 from Jose Alvarado, 15 from Jeremiah Fears, 14 by Yves Missi, 11 by Bryce McGowens and 10 by Micah Peavy.
New Orleans outrebounded Chicago, 55-33, led by 14 from Missi and 13 by Bey.
The Bulls were led by Ayo Dosunmu’s 28 points and Coby White’s 24. Josh Giddey was held to 21 as he and White combined to shoot just 7 for 20 from 3-point range.
The Pelicans announced before the game that shooting guard Jordan Poole (left quad strain) has been cleared to resume “on-court basketball activities,” but did not project when he would return to the lineup. The team also said forward Herb Jones (right calf strain) will be sidelined at least a week before being re-evaluated.
New Orleans hosts the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night in a 7 p.m. game at the Smoothie King Center.
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