National Basketball Association
New Orleans 132, Washington 112
When: 7:00 PM ET, Monday, January 9, 2023
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, District of Columbia
Officials: #38 Michael Smith, #31 Scott Wall, #25 Tony Brothers
Attendance: 16223

CJ McCollum scored 34 points, Jonas Valanciunas had a double-double and the visiting New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Washington Wizards 132-112 on Monday night.

Valanciunas finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds, Naji Marshall scored 18 points and Devonte' Graham and Jose Alvarado came off the bench for 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Pelicans, who had a season-high point total despite playing without two of their top scorers -- Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram -- who are injured.

It was New Orleans' first victory in Washington in 12 years.

Kristaps Porzingis had 23 points and 10 rebounds, Kyle Kuzma scored 19 points, Corey Kispert had 17 and Daniel Gafford and Monte Morris added 13 each as all five starters scored in double figures for the Wizards. Leading scorer Bradley Beal was sidelined due to a hamstring injury.

Despite the absence of their top scorers, both teams shot better than 50 percent from the floor.

Kuzma scored six quick points as Washington trimmed a 12-point halftime deficit to 70-67 early in the third quarter.

The Wizards got within three points again before the Pelicans scored 10 straight to open an 83-70 lead.

The lead grew to 93-75 on a dunk by Jaxson Hayes before New Orleans took a 100-88 lead by the end of the third quarter.

Marshall converted a three-point play and Graham made two 3-pointers as the Pelicans scored the first 15 points of the fourth quarter to expand the lead to 115-88.

The Pelicans, who fell behind 19 points at the end of the first quarter in a loss at Dallas on Saturday, watched the Wizards score the first 10 points, which included a pair of 3-pointers by Kispert.

But McCollum, who missed Saturday's game to rest, scored 14 points in 3 1/2 minutes and New Orleans grabbed a 24-20 lead.

Kuzma scored 13 points in the final three minutes and Washington held a 37-35 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Valanciunas scored 14 points and Marshall added eight as the Pelicans outscored the Wizards 33-19 in the second quarter to take a 68-56 halftime lead.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
New Orleans   Washington
CJ McCollum 34 Scoring Kristaps Porzingis 23
Devonte' Graham 6 Assists Monte Morris 9
Jonas Valanciunas 12 Rebounds Kristaps Porzingis 10
Jonas Valanciunas 7 Free Throws Made Kyle Kuzma 4
CJ McCollum 2 Steals Jordan Goodwin 2
Dyson Daniels 1 Blocks Rui Hachimura 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
New Orleans 132 52.7 10-26 24-31 24 44 5 9 10
Washington 112 51.2 14-34 14-18 26 37 1 5 20
Upcoming Games
  • Washington will play their next game at home against Chicago. The Wizards have a W/L % of .529 after a win and .333 after a loss.
  • New Orleans will play their next game on the road against Boston. The Pelicans have a W/L % of .600 after a win and .625 after a loss.