Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Pelicans Strike First — MIL 33, NO 38
New Orleans came out with energy and purpose, outscoring the Bucks 38-33 in the opening frame. The home crowd was engaged, and the Pelicans moved the ball with efficiency, building a lead that suggested this might be a competitive Friday night affair. Zion Williamson was active early, and the Pelicans’ inside presence gave Milwaukee some early defensive problems. But any sense of comfort for the home side would prove short-lived.
Second Quarter: Milwaukee Flips the Script — MIL 38, NO 27
The second quarter was where this game changed shape. The Bucks outscored the Pelicans 38-27, erasing the first-quarter deficit and taking control of the contest heading into the half. Milwaukee’s three-point shooting began to heat up — Rollins in particular started finding rhythm beyond the arc — and the Pelicans had no adequate answer. By halftime, the Bucks led and held the momentum firmly in their hands.
Third Quarter: Bucks Hold Steady — MIL 32, NO 31
New Orleans mounted a mild push in the third quarter, but could not close the gap. The teams played to a near-even 32-31 split in the period, with the Bucks doing just enough to maintain their advantage. Milwaukee’s defense stiffened when it needed to, and their offense remained efficient enough to prevent any real Pelicans run from gaining traction.
Fourth Quarter: Bucks Put It Away — MIL 36, NO 22
Any remaining hope for New Orleans evaporated in the fourth quarter. Milwaukee dominated the final frame 36-22, turning a manageable deficit into a 21-point final margin. The Bucks’ depth and execution in the closing period underscored the gap between these two teams at this point in the season. It was a thorough finish to a well-managed road victory.
Key Performers
Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks — 27 Points, 7 Three-Pointers (Career High)
Rollins was the undisputed standout of the night. The guard connected on a career-high seven three-pointers on his way to 27 points, providing Milwaukee with exactly the kind of perimeter punch that stretched New Orleans’ defense beyond its limits. Seven made threes is a benchmark that demands attention regardless of the opponent, and Rollins delivered that performance on the road in a game his team needed. It was a breakout moment on a Friday night stage.
Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans — 32 Points
Zion Williamson did his part, finishing as the game’s leading scorer with 32 points and posting a team-high rating of 46.5 for the Pelicans. He was physical, aggressive, and kept New Orleans alive in the early going. The problem was that his individual production ultimately couldn’t compensate for the team’s collective struggles, particularly the Pelicans’ dismal three-point shooting night — more on that below.
Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans — 9 Rebounds
Center Derik Queen led the Pelicans on the glass with nine rebounds, providing interior presence in what was otherwise a difficult night for the home side. New Orleans did pull down 37 total rebounds and shot 54.0% from the field as a team, meaning the losses at the perimeter — not the paint — were what truly sank them.
Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans — 5 Assists
Guard Jeremiah Fears led the Pelicans with five assists, showing some playmaking ability in a tough game. New Orleans finished the night with 22 total assists, reflecting reasonably good ball movement — but the inability to capitalize from the three-point line made much of that facilitation moot.
Game Analysis
The numbers tell a clear story about what separated these two teams Friday night. New Orleans shot a painful 4-of-25 from three-point range — a rate of just 16.0% — in a game where Milwaukee clearly had the range advantage. While the Pelicans actually shot well from the field overall (54.0% on two-pointers), giving up 21 points in three-point differential against a Milwaukee squad that was firing on all cylinders from deep proved insurmountable.
Rollins’ career-high performance wasn’t just a personal milestone — it was a tactical problem the Pelicans had no answer for. When a role player catches fire like that on the road, it multiplies the pressure on a defense already stretched by Milwaukee’s primary scoring threats. New Orleans couldn’t rotate fast enough or contest consistently enough to slow the Bucks’ perimeter attack.
Milwaukee’s fourth-quarter dominance (36-22) also speaks to the team’s depth and discipline. This was not a game decided by a single player — it was a team-wide effort that suffocated New Orleans down the stretch. The Bucks’ ability to close out road games convincingly is a positive sign as playoff positioning comes into focus.
For the Pelicans, this loss reflects the broader struggles of a 15-42 team still searching for consistent production around Zion Williamson. New Orleans did post solid numbers in some areas — 22 assists, 37 rebounds, 54% from two — but the three-point shooting and the late-game defensive lapses exposed the team’s limitations once again.
Standings & Series Implications
With the victory, Milwaukee improves to their third straight win and their sixth in the last seven games, a run that positions them well in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Bucks continue to demonstrate they have the firepower — and the role-player depth — to compete on any given night. For New Orleans, the loss drops them to 15-42 overall (9-21 at home), and the path forward remains uncertain. With Zion Williamson capable of putting up 32 points on any night, the Pelicans have a foundational piece — but surrounding him with consistent contributors, especially from the perimeter, remains the critical challenge. Milwaukee heads into the coming weeks with genuine momentum; New Orleans will look to regroup and find answers before the season closes out.
