Lifeless Pelicans get blasted by Blazers, 125-103

Posted on by David Grubb

The 2024-25 New Orleans Pelicans looked a lot like the worst of the 2023-24 Pelicans on Sunday evening as they were routed by the Portland Trail Blazers, 125-103. The game highlighted several issues for the Pelicans, particularly their shooting struggles and inability to control the boards.

From the outset, New Orleans struggled to find its rhythm, especially from beyond the three-point line. After a strong start that saw them jump to an 8-0 lead, the Pelicans quickly fell behind as Portland was up 26-25 at the end of the first quarter. Trail Blazers center DeAndre Ayton was particularly effective, contributing nine points and six rebounds in the opening frame.

Zion Williamson, in his second game back this season, has been nothing like the player he was in the preseason. He finished with 14 points, primarily from the free-throw line, and shot just 3 of 12 from the field. The Trail Blazers effectively packed the paint, limiting Williamson’s scoring opportunities and forcing him into difficult positions throughout the game.

CJ McCollum was a standout for the Pelicans, scoring 27 points in 36 minutes. McCollum consistently put pressure on Portland’s defense, particularly in the first half where he scored 15 points. However, even McCollum’s performance wasn’t enough to offset the team’s shooting woes; New Orleans finished the game shooting only 28% from three-point range, converting just 8 of 29 attempts.

The Pelicans also faced significant challenges on the boards, where they were out-rebounded 51-39. Portland’s 22 offensive rebounds exceeded New Orleans’ previous single-game high of 21 from last season, highlighting a critical area for improvement. The Trail Blazers capitalized on their size and hustle, converting second-chance opportunities into points that kept them ahead throughout the game.

Brandon Ingram was close to a triple-double with 14 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. However, Ingram too often settled for midrange jumpers and took only three attempts from long distance after making 7-of-14 in the previous two games. The collective team tempo faltered, especially in the first half where they managed just one three-pointer out of 13 attempts. By halftime, New Orleans found themselves down by 12 points, which they were unable to recover from.

While the Pelicans had their best offensive quarter of the game after halftime, posting 30 points in the third, they couldn’t maintain the momentum as the Blazers continued to push back, extending their lead to 16 points by the start of the fourth. The New Orleans small-ball lineup struggled to make an impact, further exacerbating their issues from deep.

Looking ahead, the Pelicans will need to address these shortcomings quickly as they head to San Francisco for their first true back-to-back against the Golden State Warriors, with the first game set for Tuesday at 10 PM ET. Head coach Willie Green emphasized the need for his team to play with more aggression, stating, “We have to play with force. We can’t walk the ball up. We have to attack.”

As the season progresses, New Orleans must rectify their perimeter shooting and rebounding deficits to avoid similar results. The loss to Portland should serve as an early season wake-up call, and the Pelicans need to find their sense of urgency before the Warriors find it for them.

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