The New Orleans Pelicans came away with a convincing 138-118 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday evening at Smoothie King Center, delivering a strong second-half performance in front of 16,698 fans. After falling behind early in the first quarter, New Orleans took control of the game steadily across the final three periods, outscoring Washington by a combined 20 points over the final 24 minutes. Trey Murphy III led all scorers with 24 points, while Jeremiah Fears orchestrated the offense with 7 assists.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter: Wizards Set the Tone Early

Washington came out with energy on the road, taking a 35-32 lead after one quarter of play. The Wizards moved the ball effectively and made enough from beyond the arc to keep New Orleans on their heels. The Pelicans’ offense wasn’t clicking at full capacity just yet, and the three-point difference reflected a Wizards unit that was executing its game plan early.

Second Quarter: New Orleans Responds

The Pelicans responded in the second quarter, outscoring Washington 35-30 to take a 67-65 lead into halftime. New Orleans tightened things up defensively and found more rhythm on the offensive end, evening the score and setting the stage for a stronger second half. It was a pivotal swing that shifted the momentum heading into the locker room.

Third Quarter: Pelicans Take Control

The third quarter is where New Orleans truly took control of the contest, again outscoring the Wizards 35-28. Washington’s shooting efficiency dipped noticeably as the Pelicans’ defense became more disruptive. Facing a growing double-digit deficit heading into the fourth, the Wizards would need a significant turnaround to get back into the game.

Fourth Quarter: Pelicans Seal the Win

Any hope Washington had of mounting a comeback evaporated in the fourth quarter. New Orleans posted its highest-scoring period of the game with 36 points while holding the Wizards to just 25, sealing the 138-118 final. The Pelicans closed out the game efficiently, converting at the free-throw line and maintaining their composure throughout.

Key Performers

Trey Murphy III — New Orleans Pelicans

Murphy III was the standout performer on the night, leading all scorers with 24 points and earning the game’s top efficiency rating. His ability to create and convert throughout the game gave the Pelicans a reliable offensive focal point, and he was at his best when the team needed to extend its lead in the second half.

Saddiq Bey — New Orleans Pelicans

Bey contributed a double-digit rebounding performance, pulling down a team-high 10 boards to anchor New Orleans on the glass. His work on the interior gave the Pelicans a significant edge in second-chance opportunities throughout the game.

Jeremiah Fears — New Orleans Pelicans

The young guard ran the offense with poise, distributing the ball to the tune of 7 assists — the most of any Pelican on the night. Fears’ ability to find open teammates helped New Orleans generate quality looks, contributing to the team’s 52.8% field goal percentage.

Tre Johnson — Washington Wizards

Johnson paced Washington’s offense with a team-high 20 points. He was one of the few bright spots for the Wizards, keeping them competitive in the early going before the Pelicans pulled away.

Trae Young — Washington Wizards

Young posted 17 points and a game-high 8 assists for the Wizards and earned Washington’s top efficiency rating on the night. His playmaking kept Washington’s offense afloat at times, but the team’s overall shooting — particularly from beyond the arc (14-of-42, 33.3%) — wasn’t enough to keep pace with New Orleans.

Game Analysis

The clearest storyline of this game was New Orleans’ ability to respond after a slow start and then steadily build a lead through superior interior efficiency. The Pelicans shot 52.8% from the field on 89 attempts, compared to Washington’s 45.1% on 91 shots. While the Wizards attempted far more threes (42 to New Orleans’ 23), their reliance on perimeter shooting — making just 14 of those 42 attempts — left points on the table. The Pelicans, by contrast, leaned on a more balanced attack, getting to the free-throw line 47 times and converting 37 of those attempts (78.7%). That disparity at the line — Washington attempted only 27 free throws — was one of the defining statistical gaps of the evening. New Orleans also held a rebounding edge (44 to 41) and matched Washington’s passing output nearly shot for shot, finishing with 25 assists compared to Washington’s 27. The Pelicans were more efficient with fewer opportunities, and that efficiency compounded as the game progressed.

Standings and Implications

With the win, the New Orleans Pelicans improve to 21-45 on the season, including a 12-21 record at Smoothie King Center. It’s a welcome home victory for a team still working through a difficult year, and moments like this — particularly the strong performances from Murphy III and Fears — offer encouraging signs for the franchise’s development. Washington, meanwhile, falls to 16-47 overall and 5-25 on the road, continuing one of the more challenging seasons in recent Wizards history. With both teams outside playoff contention, the remaining games of the 2025-26 season carry weight in terms of draft positioning and player evaluation heading into the offseason.