Pelicans lose 130-125 to Knicks. Offense faltering for 11-minute stretch (Nola scored only 13 points between 6:41 of 3rd & 7:41 of 4th) opened door for New York -- and they ran through it. Zion Williamson: 32 PTS, 5 REB Saddiq Bey: 26 PTS, 6 REB Jordan Poole: 26 PTS, 4 3s Trey Murphy: 21 PTS, 5 3s

James Borrego challenging last foul on Zion Williamson after bench adamant about calling timeout. Z simply not getting favorable whistle on last several plays. Honestly amazed at how he's able to keep his emotions in check so as to avoid picking up a tech foul at times. New Orleans wins challenge.

Jordan Poole have been absolutely nails off the bench so far. Its the most minutes Looney (9 REB) has played in a New Orleans uniform and Poole has been wildly efficient -- 23 PTS (6-10 FG, 8-8 FT) in under 18 minutes.

Pelicans lead Knicks 75-72 at halftime -- most points NY has given up in a 1st half this season. Kevon Looney hasn't filled up stat sheet, but he's battled successfully in paint on both ends & set some great screens. Saddiq Bey: 26 PTS, 4 3s Zion Williamson: 18 PTS, 5 REB Jordan Poole: 16 PTS, 3 3s

Pelicans lead Knicks 41-37 after one. Saddiq Bey contributed 23 of those points, the most he's ever scored in an NBA quarter. Pelicans sank 7 threes, the most they've made in a first quarter this season. Saddiq Bey: 23 PTS, 4 3s Jordan Poole: 10 PTS Trey Murphy: 5 PTS Derik Queen: 5 REB, 2 BLK

Saddiq Bey is up to 21 points (7-8 FG, 4-4 3PT) and we're not 9 minutes into tonight's game. Interesting fact: Bey's best scoring quarter of his career was 21 points -- in the Pistons-Magic game (3/17/22) in which he finished with a career-high 51 points.

Zion Williamson's splits this season. As starter (10 games @ 30.9 minutes): 22.1 PTS, 5.6 REB, 4.0 AST, 3.1 TOV, 51.0 FG%, 72.3 FT% As reserve (7 games @ 24.9 minutes): 21.1 PTS, 6.0 REB, 2.7 AST, 2.1 TOV, 58.6 FG%, 80.7 FT%

Zion Williamson returns to the starting lineup against the New York Knicks. So, the first five tonight for the Pelicans: Jeremiah Fears Trey Murphy Saddiq Bey Zion Derik Queen

Pelicans fall 123-114 to Suns. NOP had trimmed deficit to 2 w/ 3:54 left. PHX sets season highs for O-rebounds (22) & second chance points (30). Trey Murphy: 24 PTS, 6 3s (season high) Zion Williamson: 22 PTS Derik Queen: 21 PTS, 11 REB Jeremiah Fears: 18 PTS, 8 REB (career high) Saddiq Bey: 17 PTS

Trey Murphy hits a huge three pointer, his sixth of the night, to cut the Pelicans deficit to 107-104 with 4:30 remaining. It's the first time this season that Trey's made six 3s in a game.

Yves Missi with a demonstrative block after ejection on next defensive possession, with Zion Williamson nearly getting a block too -- and then Z scores around several Suns. Safe to say that New Orleans is finally showing serious energy and intensity on every possession.

Jose Alvarado and Mark Williams just exchanged punches, with Jose proceeding to run off the court and to the locker room. Both players will obviously get ejected.

There's still close to 18 minutes left in this game and the Suns already have established a new season high for offensive rebounds with 19.

Derik Queen hits his second 3-pointer of the game (2nd time he's done that in last 3 games) and then scores an and-1 to give the Pelicans life early in third quarter.

Pelicans trail Suns 65-55 at halftime. Surprising difference isn't larger, considering Suns' role players have made nine 3s (Gillespie: 5; O'Neal: 3) and PHX grabbed 17 offensive rebounds (leading to 24 2nd chance points). Zion Williamson: 14 PTS Trey Murphy: 11 PTS, 3 3s Derik Queen: 7 PTS, 5 REB

Pelicans gave up 9 offensive rebounds (leading to 16 points for Suns), but they lead 33-32 at end of first quarter. Fantastic starts by Trey Murphy (11 PTS, 3 3s) and Zion Williamson (8 PTS, 4-5 FG) + zero turnovers by team helps overcome PHX's immense second chance opportunities.

Pelicans fall 115-108 to Suns. NOP led by five points early in fourth but closed poorly. Multiple reasons for loss: 17 free throw misses, gave up 16 offensive rebounds (led to 23 PHX points), 5 makes from 3 & multiple players with off games. Zion Williamson: 20 PTS, 8 REB Trey Murphy: 19 PTS, 4 STL

That should have been a good block by Yves Missi. But the referees didn't call it that way and New Orleans lost their challenge a minute and a half into the contest.

Five straight points by Jose Alvarado -- sandwiched around a possession of him guarding and barking at Dillion Brooks -- cuts the Pelicans' deficit to only 74-73.

Dillion Brooks has been on the verge of picking up a technical foul tonight and finally gets hit with one, following the minorest of scuffles with Trey Murphy. He had been extremely vociferous with the referees several times previously.

Two key steals by Trey Murphy to begin this second half. Let's see if this jumpstarts New Orleans' offense.

Pelicans trail Suns 53-48 at halftime. Each team not shooting 3-ball well. Each team w/ 30 points in paint. Phoenix has lead at halftime due to 12 offensive rebounds, leading to 17-8 2nd chance points advantage. Jordan Poole: 11 PTS, 3 STL Zion Williamson: 8 PTS, 5 AST, 5 REB Jeremiah Fears: 7 PTS

And the referees say McGowens wasn't in a legal guarding position. Okay.

James Borrego burning a challenge just a minute and a half into this game. Shocking how three referees missed Devin Booker extending his arm through Bryce McGowen's chest.

Zion Williamson has made 30 of 35 free throws this month. That's 85.7%. His 3 most efficient free throw shooting months previously (min 5 games)? March 2024: 76.0% February 2024: 75.3% February 2021: 75.2% If this December's trend continues, that mark would represent a NOTABLE jump in Z's career.

Jordan Poole (left ankle soreness) is AVAILABLE for tonight’s game vs. Suns, per Pelicans.

Jordan Poole (left ankle soreness) has been upgraded to PROBABLE for tonight’s matchup against the Suns, per the Pelicans. Herb Jones (right ankle sprain) and Dejounte Murray (right achilles rupture) remain listed as out on the team’s most recent injury report.

Pelicans destroyed 141-118 by Cavaliers. They might have just played their worst game in month of December (perhaps even worse than Nets matchup) -- Cleveland made nine more 3s AND beat New Orleans 72-54 in points in the paint. Zion Williamson: 26 PTS, 5 REB Derik Queen: 21 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST, 2 3s

With that make before the end of the third quarter, Derik Queen has two made 3-pointers in a game for the first time in his career. (He entered tonight 3 for 23 from behind the arc on the season.)

Pelicans trail Cavaliers 69-60 at halftime. Nola didn't start game with requisite intensity/focus so Cleveland jumped out to 18-point lead. CLE also enjoyed far too many open looks from 3 throughout 1st half. Zion Williamson: 14 PTS (6-6 FG) Trey Murphy: 12 PTS, 3 AST Jeremiah Fears: 9 PTS, 5 AST

Jeremiah Fears has been much more purposeful since returning a few minutes into this second quarter than when he started this game. Having the youngest legs and the rest of the team struggling to find any rhythm, seeing Fears be aggressive with every touch is a step in right direction.

It's becoming ever so hard to distinguish Trump's envoys from Putin's envoys.

Jordan Poole (left ankle soreness) is OUT for tonight's game vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, per Pelicans.

Since James Borrego was promoted, the Pelicans have had the 3rd best shot quality in the league and 7th best rim and three rate

Herb Jones (right ankle sprain) is OUT tonight against the Cavaliers, per the Pelicans. In addition, Jordan Poole is listed on the latest injury report as QUESTIONABLE with left ankle soreness.

Derik Queen over his last six games, which includes four double-doubles: 17.7 PTS 9.3 REB 5.8 AST 1.3 BLK 64.2 FG% 82.6 FT%

Pelicans beat Mavericks 119-113. 5th straight win (3rd straight clutch W). Nice comeback tho last 1:30 was far too adventurous: Poole stripped at half court, Murphy shot 3 early in shot clock & Bey missed a bunny. Zion Williamson: 24 PTS, 9 REB Derik Queen: 19 PTS, 11 REB, 6 AST Saddiq Bey: 19 PTS

Pelicans trailed 94-83 at 10:17 mark of the fourth quarter. They now lead 113-103. They're on a 30-9 run.

Herb Jones (right ankle sprain) will not return to tonight’s game, per Pelicans. He landed awkwardly guarding Cooper Flagg on a drive and then left for locker room at 8:25 mark of third quarter.

Pelicans trail Mavericks 63-57 at halftime. They had led by as many as 11 in the first quarter. Klay Thompson (20 PTS, 5 3s) getting open looks early allowed him to get hot. Anthony Davis has hurt Pels too (22 PTS, 10 REB) Zion Williamson: 14 PTS, 5 REB Derik Queen: 11 PTS, 5 REB Saddiq Bey: 10 PTs

Derik Queen just ripped the ball from Anthony Davis -- for his second steal of the game -- using his stellar IQ and spatial awareness. Pelicans open up 18-9 lead over Mavericks.

Herb Jones’ status (migraine) was just changed from questionable to available for tonight’s game vs. Mavericks, per Pelicans.

#Pelicans  are on a 4-game winning streak, including rallying from a 25-point deficit to beat Rockets. In James Borrego's first month, he's made a case to have interim tag removed www.nola.com/sports/pelic...

From Retro Pels on IG:

Saddiq Bey, in 20 starts this year: 32.2 MPGs 17.6 PPGs 7.2 RPGs 2.7 APGs 58.9 TS%

James Borrego on Herb Jones’ head injury: “We’re just being cautious right now. He should be okay, but we’ll know more tomorrow.”

James Borrego on the Pelicans’ 4-game win streak: “Pleased but not satisfied.”

Pelicans beat Pacers handily, 128-109. Nola dominated inside (70 paint points, 29 FT). Pels have scored 120+ for 8th time in last 12 games Zion Williamson: 29 PTS (ties season high), 7 REB Saddiq Bey: 18 PTS Trey Murphy: 17 PTS, 6 REB Derik Queen: 17 PTS (8-8 FG), 10 REB Jordan Poole: 16 PTS, 6 AST

Derik Queen is 8 for 8 from the field thus far. In case you're wondering, the most field goals made without a miss by a rookie is Billy McKinney with 14 back in 1978. The next highest number of buckets made without a miss is 10 by five different NBA players, including Darren Collison.

Micah Peavy pouring in 8 points on 3 for 3 shooting (2 for 2 from three-point range) in the third quarter was a welcome surprise. He'll likely receive a good amount of run if Herb Jones misses any time due to his head injury.