Game ID: 22400750
New Orleans Pelicans @ Sacramento Kings
Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 10:00 PM ET
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
SAC 24 30 45 24 123NOP 31 34 22 31 118
NOP @ SAC ScoutingNOP @ SAC Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
SAC availability going into 2/01 · 2 days' restOUT Crowder missed 7 since 1/16, out tonight
SAC availability going into 2/03 · 1 day's restOUT Crowder missed 8 since 1/16, out tonight
SAC availability going into 2/05 · 1 day's restOUT Crowder missed 9 since 1/16, out tonight
SAC availability going into 2/06 · back-to-backOUT Crowder missed 10 since 1/16, out tonight
SAC availability going into 2/08 · 1 day's restOUT Crowder missed 11 since 1/16, out tonight
SAC availability going into 2/10 · 1 day's restOUT Crowder missed 12 since 1/16, out tonight
SAC availability going into 2/12 · 1 day's restOUT Crowder missed 13 since 1/16, out tonight
OUT Carter missed 2 since 2/08, out tonight
NEW Ellis 24 to 30 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 2/13 · back-to-backOUT Crowder missed 14 since 1/16, out tonight
OUT Carter missed 3 since 2/08, out tonight
SAC availability going into 2/21 · 7 days' restOUT Crowder missed 15 since 1/16, out tonight
OUT Carter missed 4 since 2/08, returns tonight: 3 min (27% of 11)
NEW Monk 32 to 39 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 1/29 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 9 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Boston missed 5 since 1/17, returns tonight: 21 min (89% of 24)
OUT Payton missed 25 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 2 since 1/25, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 1/25 after 2, 27 min since (94% of 29)
BACK Missi back 1/24 after 2, 24 min since (88% of 27)
BACK Matković back 1/17 after 4, 7 min since (37% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 1/25 after 7, 12 min since (79% of 15)
NOP availability going into 1/31 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 10 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 26 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 2 since 1/27, returns tonight: 18 min (97% of 19)
OUT Robinson-Earl missed 2 since 1/27, returns tonight: 13 min (71% of 19)
OUT Reeves missed 2 since 1/27, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 3 since 1/25, returns tonight: 5 min (38% of 14)
BACK Williamson back 1/25 after 2, 27 min since (95% of 29)
BACK Missi back 1/24 after 2, 25 min since (93% of 27)
BACK Boston back 1/29 after 5, 21 min since (89% of 24)
NOP availability going into 2/03 · 2 days' restOUT Jones missed 11 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 2 since 1/29, returns tonight: 14 min (61% of 24)
OUT Payton missed 27 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 3 since 1/27, returns tonight: 4 min (30% of 15)
BACK Williamson back 1/25 after 2, 27 min since (95% of 29)
BACK Missi back 1/24 after 2, 26 min since (97% of 27)
BACK Boston back 1/29 after 5, 25 min since (107% of 24)
BACK Matković back 1/31 after 2, 18 min since (97% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/31 after 2, 13 min since (71% of 19)
BACK Cain back 1/31 after 3, 5 min since (38% of 14)
NOP availability going into 2/05 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 12 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 28 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Theis missed 2 since 1/31, not on tonight's roster
BACK Williamson back 1/25 after 2, 28 min since (96% of 29)
BACK Boston back 1/29 after 5, 25 min since (107% of 24)
BACK Hawkins back 2/03 after 2, 14 min since (61% of 24)
BACK Matković back 1/31 after 2, 23 min since (120% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/31 after 2, 11 min since (57% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 1/25 after 7, 8 min since (55% of 15)
BACK Cain back 1/31 after 3, 5 min since (38% of 14)
NOP availability going into 2/08 · 2 days' restOUT Jones missed 13 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Boston missed 2 since 2/03, returns tonight: 15 min (64% of 24)
OUT Payton missed 29 since 12/05, out tonight
BACK Hawkins back 2/03 after 2, 20 min since (83% of 24)
BACK Matković back 1/31 after 2, 25 min since (133% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/31 after 2, 12 min since (63% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 2/03 after 3, 10 min since (65% of 15)
BACK Cain back 1/31 after 3, 11 min since (82% of 14)
NOP availability going into 2/10 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 14 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 30 since 12/05, out tonight
BACK Boston back 1/29 after 5, 22 min since (93% of 24)
BACK Hawkins back 2/03 after 2, 19 min since (81% of 24)
BACK Matković back 1/31 after 2, 23 min since (122% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/31 after 2, 12 min since (63% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 2/03 after 3, 11 min since (75% of 15)
BACK Cain back 1/31 after 3, 11 min since (82% of 14)
NOP availability going into 2/12 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 15 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 31 since 12/05, out tonight
BACK Boston back 2/08 after 2, 15 min since (64% of 24)
BACK Hawkins back 2/03 after 2, 21 min since (89% of 24)
BACK Matković back 1/31 after 2, 25 min since (131% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/31 after 2, 13 min since (69% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 2/03 after 3, 15 min since (98% of 15)
BACK Cain back 1/31 after 3, 10 min since (72% of 14)
NOP availability going into 2/13 · back-to-backOUT Jones missed 16 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Boston missed 2 since 2/10, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 32 since 12/05, out tonight
BACK Hawkins back 2/03 after 2, 19 min since (83% of 24)
BACK Reeves back 2/03 after 3, 15 min since (103% of 15)
NEW Matković 19 to 24 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 2/21 · 7 days' restOUT Jones missed 17 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Olynyk missed 2 since 2/12, returns tonight: 24 min (93% of 25)
OUT Brooks Jr. missed 2 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Boston missed 3 since 2/10, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 33 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 2 since 2/12, out tonight
NEW Alvarado 24 to 30 min over the last 4
NEW Matković 19 to 24 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 123, shooting 45 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; DeRozan at 22 and Monk at 19 a game. One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 127, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Murphy III at 30 and Williamson at 26 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Jones (13 straight), Boston (2 straight), Payton (29 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the arc, New Orleans at 39 percent from three to Sacramento's 31. Call it Sacramento 119, New Orleans 115, New Orleans keeping it close.
2/01 @ OKC 110-144 — SAC notes
SAC lost 110-144. SAC shot 40% (40 of 100) to OKC's 53%, 11 of 44 from three, and went to the line 26 times to OKC's 16 — 19 points from the stripe to their 11. The glass went 37-70 against them. Fox led with 20 (8 of 16, 3 of 9 from three); Monk added 19, DeRozan 17. Q3 was theirs, 35-31, the deficit cut from 27 to 23, but the other 3 periods went 113-75 against them. Sabonis's -30 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/03 @ MIN 116-114 — SAC notes
SAC won 116-114. SAC shot 49% (45 of 92) to MIN's 46%, 10 of 24 from three. The glass went 47-36 for them. DeRozan led with 33 (14 of 25, 2 of 4 from three); Monk added 26, Murray 19. The hinge was Q1, 38-34: from level to 4 ahead. Sabonis was the night's best plus/minus at +8.
2/05 vs ORL 111-130 — SAC notes
SAC lost 111-130. SAC shot 50% (40 of 80) to ORL's 57%, 10 of 27 from three, and went to the line 28 times to ORL's 15 — 21 points from the stripe to their 14. SAC turned it over 17 times to ORL's 8, and ORL turned those into 8 steals. Sabonis led with 21 (8 of 10); DeRozan added 19, LaVine 13. Q2 was theirs, 29-25, the deficit cut from 6 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 105-82 against them. DeRozan's -28 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/06 @ POR 102-108 — SAC notes
SAC lost 102-108. SAC shot 42% (37 of 88) to POR's 43%, 10 of 30 from three. DeRozan led with 22 (9 of 16, 1 of 4 from three); LaVine added 22, Monk 21. Q3 was theirs, 27-25, the deficit cut from 4 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 83-75 against them. Lyles's -14 in 14 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/08 vs NOP 123-118 — SAC notes
SAC won 123-118. SAC shot 47% (43 of 91) to NOP's 48%, 11 of 41 from three, and went to the line 33 times to NOP's 25 — 26 points from the stripe to their 18. The glass went 51-39 for them. Sabonis led with 27 (10 of 18, 1 of 3 from three, 6 of 10 at the line); LaVine added 22, Murray 19. The hinge was Q3, 45-22: SAC came in trailing by 11 and left it ahead by 12, and the lead reached 18. SAC trailed 54-65 at the half and won the second half 69-53. Valančiūnas was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
2/10 @ DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Dallas comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 121, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Irving at 24 and Christie at 18 a game. Without Lively II (13 straight), Hardy (3 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 123, shooting 45 percent and 31 from three, 26 free throws a game; DeRozan at 20 and LaVine at 19 a game. One day's rest.
So: Dallas wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Dallas 118, Sacramento 114, Sacramento keeping it close.
2/12 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 129, shooting 46 percent and 40 from three, 24 free throws a game; Murphy III at 30 and Williamson at 25 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Jones (15 straight), Payton (31 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 120, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; DeRozan at 25 and LaVine at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest.
So: Sacramento wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-8 a night and New Orleans minus-4 and the defense, Sacramento allowing 120 a night to New Orleans's 129. Call it Sacramento 119, New Orleans 116, New Orleans keeping it close.
2/13 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 130, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Williamson at 26 and Murphy III at 26 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Jones (16 straight), Boston (2 straight), Payton (32 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 119, shooting 48 percent and 33 from three, 26 free throws a game; DeRozan at 24 and LaVine at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Sacramento wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-8 a night and New Orleans minus-8 and the defense, Sacramento allowing 119 a night to New Orleans's 130. Call it Sacramento 119, New Orleans 116, New Orleans keeping it close.
2/21 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 121, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 25 free throws a game; DeRozan at 24 and LaVine at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. 7 days' rest. Golden State comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 110, shooting 43 percent and 31 from three, 26 free throws a game; Curry at 32 and Butler III at 21 a game. Without Kuminga (21 straight). 7 days' rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the defense, Golden State allowing 110 a night to Sacramento's 121 and the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-10 a night and Golden State plus-4. Call it Sacramento 116, Golden State 115, Golden State keeping it close.
1/29 vs DAL 136-137 — NOP notes
NOP lost 136-137. NOP shot 53% (51 of 96) to DAL's 54%, 15 of 31 from three. NOP turned it over 8 times to DAL's 18. The glass went 36-51 against them. Murphy III led with 32 (13 of 17, 5 of 9 from three); Williamson added 29, Murray 27. Q2 was theirs, 31-22, turning a 3-point deficit into a 6-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 115-105 against them. Theis's -16 in 18 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/31 vs BOS 116-118 — NOP notes
NOP lost 116-118. NOP shot 49% (44 of 90) to BOS's 50%, 15 of 37 from three, and got to the line 19 times to BOS's 26. NOP turned it over 18 times to BOS's 13, and BOS turned those into 12 steals. The glass went 48-35 for them. Murphy III led with 40 (15 of 20, 8 of 12 from three); Alvarado added 20, McCollum 17. Q1 was theirs, 34-31, but the other 3 periods went 87-82 against them. Boston's -7 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/03 @ DEN 113-125 — NOP notes
NOP lost 113-125. NOP shot 43% (38 of 88) to DEN's 50%, 18 of 38 from three. NOP turned it over 10 times to DEN's 5. Murphy III led with 41 (13 of 21, 8 of 12 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); McCollum added 30, Williamson 14. Q3 was theirs, 35-25, the deficit cut from 18 to 8, but the other 3 periods went 100-78 against them. Hawkins's -14 in 14 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/05 @ DEN 119-144 — NOP notes
NOP lost 119-144. NOP shot 46% (43 of 93) to DEN's 57%, 10 of 29 from three, and went to the line 26 times to DEN's 15 — 23 points from the stripe to their 14. The glass went 38-51 against them. Williamson led with 28 (11 of 19, 6 of 9 at the line); Murphy III added 25, McCollum 19. Q1 was theirs, 36-36, but the other 3 periods went 108-83 against them. Murphy III's -23 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/08 @ SAC 118-123 — NOP notes
NOP lost 118-123. NOP shot 48% (43 of 90) to SAC's 47%, 14 of 36 from three, and got to the line 25 times to SAC's 33. The glass went 39-51 against them. Williamson led with 40 (16 of 21, 8 of 11 at the line); McCollum added 31, Murphy III 20. Q1 was theirs, 31-24, but the other 3 periods went 99-87 against them. They led by as many as 20. Matković's -22 in 16 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/10 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 131 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 34 and Wiggins at 23 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 16 a night. Without Dort (2 straight), Wallace (4 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 129, shooting 48 percent and 42 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 32 and Williamson at 28 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Jones (14 straight), Payton (30 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the glass, where OKC has been plus-16 a night and New Orleans minus-6 and the defense, OKC allowing 107 a night to New Orleans's 129. Call it OKC 126, New Orleans 109, OKC by 17.
2/12 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 129, shooting 46 percent and 40 from three, 24 free throws a game; Murphy III at 30 and Williamson at 25 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Jones (15 straight), Payton (31 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 120, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; DeRozan at 25 and LaVine at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest.
So: Sacramento wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-8 a night and New Orleans minus-4 and the defense, Sacramento allowing 120 a night to New Orleans's 129. Call it Sacramento 119, New Orleans 116, New Orleans keeping it close.
2/13 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 130, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Williamson at 26 and Murphy III at 26 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Jones (16 straight), Boston (2 straight), Payton (32 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 119, shooting 48 percent and 33 from three, 26 free throws a game; DeRozan at 24 and LaVine at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Sacramento wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-8 a night and New Orleans minus-8 and the defense, Sacramento allowing 119 a night to New Orleans's 130. Call it Sacramento 119, New Orleans 116, New Orleans keeping it close.
2/21 @ DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Dallas comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 115, shooting 51 percent and 42 from three, 21 free throws a game; Irving at 26 and Thompson at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Washington (3 straight), Davis (3 straight), Lively II (16 straight). 7 days' rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 131, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Williamson at 30 and McCollum at 27 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Jones (17 straight), Olynyk (2 straight), Brooks Jr. (2 straight). 7 days' rest.
So: Dallas wins, and the game turns on the defense, Dallas allowing 115 a night to New Orleans's 131 and the arc, Dallas at 42 percent from three to New Orleans's 36. Call it Dallas 123, New Orleans 113, Dallas by 10.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
NOPAR A. Reeves
BB B. Boston
CM C. McCollum
JA J. Alvarado
JG J. Green
JH J. Hawkins
KM K. Matković
TM T. Murphy III
YM Y. Missi
ZW Z. Williamson
SACDD D. DeRozan
DS D. Sabonis
JL J. LaRavia
JV J. Valančiūnas
KE K. Ellis
KM K. Murray
MM M. Monk
TL T. Lyles
VA Valanciunas
ZL Z. LaVine
NOP/SAC the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Sabonis had 27 and Kings rally from 20 down to beat Pelicans 123-118
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- — Domantas Sabonis had 27 points and 16 rebounds for his NBA-leading 46th double-double of the season and the Sacramento Kings overcame a 20-point deficit for a 123-118 victory over New Orleans on Saturday night that extended the Pelicans’ losing streak to eight games.
Zach LaVine added 22 points in his best game for the Kings since being acquired in a trade from the Chicago Bulls last week. Keegan Murray had 19 points with eight rebounds.
Zion Williamson scored a season-high 40 points for New Orleans, CJ McCollum had 31 points while Trey Murphy III scored 20.
The game began as if it might be a blowout but ended in a flourish.
New Orleans, which led 29-9 less than nine minutes into the first quarter, trailed most of the fourth quarter and got within 121-118 on a pair of free throws by McCollum with 15.2 seconds remaining.
Jonas Valanciunas , acquired by the Kings at the trade deadline, made two free throws to help secure the win.
Takeaways Pelicans: The backcourt tandem of McCollum and Jose Alvarado combined for 36 points, 12 assists and four steals, making it difficult for the Kings to double-team Williamson.
Kings: It was another shaky night as coach Doug Christie tries to integrate the newcomers into his system. On the plus side, LaVine was more aggressive and on the attack than he was in his first two games with Sacramento.
Key moment After Sabonis picked up his fourth foul with 4 1/2 minutes left in the third, the Kings closed the quarter on a 22-9 run.
Key stat The Pelicans made 14 3-pointers, matching their most over the past nine games.
Up next Pelicans: End their four-game road trip on Monday night against Oklahoma City.
Kings: Face the Mavericks in Dallas on Monday night.