National Basketball Association
L.A. Clippers 116, New Orleans 113
When: 8:00 PM ET, Monday, December 30, 2024
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Officials: #9 Natalie Sago, #86 Brandon Schwab, #27 Mitchell Ervin
Attendance: 17303

Norman Powell scored 35 points, James Harden added 27, including four decisive free throws in the final minute, and the visiting Los Angeles Clippers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 116-113 on Monday night.

Ivica Zubac had 20 points and 16 rebounds and Derrick Jones Jr. scored 11 for the Clippers, who have won three in a row and five of their past six games.

CJ McCollum scored 33, Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones had 18 each and Yves Missi scored 12 for the Pelicans, who made a season-high 18 3-pointers but still lost their 10th straight and fell for the 19th time in 20 games. Dejounte Murray amassed 13 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and six steals.

Harden broke a tie by making two free throws with 17.9 seconds left. Missi was fouled with 4.3 seconds to go and made the first free throw but missed the second. Harden sank two more at the line with 1.8 seconds left.

McCollum started the third-quarter scoring with back-to-back 3-pointers to give New Orleans a 68-56 lead. The Pelicans led by 12 four more times before Nicolas Batum, Kevin Porter Jr. and Harden each made a 3-pointer to help Los Angeles get within one.

Harden got the Clippers even by making two foul shots with 31.9 seconds to go in the third quarter, but McCollum's trey gave New Orleans a 90-87 lead entering the fourth.

Los Angeles got within one point twice early in the fourth quarter before McCollum's 3-pointer gave the Pelicans a 102-98 lead. However, Powell's 3-pointer and layup pushed the Clippers in front 112-108 with 3:01 remaining.

Jones sank two free throws and McCollum made a layup to tie the score with 2:16 left.

In the first quarter, the Clippers briefly took a two-point lead before Javonte Green, McCollum, Murphy and Jordan Hawkins each made a 3-pointer to help New Orleans take a 37-31 lead at the end of the period.

Powell scored eight of Los Angeles' first 12 points of the second quarter as the Clippers took a 43-41 lead. The score was tied twice before Murphy made two 3-pointers and McCollum and Jones made one each during a 14-0 run that gave the Pelicans a 59-45 lead.

Powell and Kris Dunn each scored five points during an 11-3 run that pulled the Clippers within 62-56 at halftime.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
L.A. Clippers   New Orleans
Norman Powell 35 Scoring CJ McCollum 33
Kris Dunn 6 Assists Dejounte Murray 8
Ivica Zubac 16 Rebounds Dejounte Murray 10
James Harden 10 Free Throws Made Herbert Jones 4
Nicolas Batum 3 Steals Dejounte Murray 6
Kris Dunn 1 Blocks Yves Missi 5
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
L.A. Clippers 116 47.7 13-37 21-27 24 40 2 11 17
New Orleans 113 51.2 18-37 11-14 30 35 5 13 16
Upcoming Games
  • New Orleans will play their next game on the road against Miami. The Pelicans have a W/L % of .200 after a win and .143 after a loss.
  • L.A. Clippers will play their next game on the road against San Antonio. The Clippers have a W/L % of .632 after a win and .538 after a loss.