Pelicans @ Cavaliers Takeaways
Chrissy Smith • December 24, 2025
Team Stats
(Pelicans @ Cavaliers)
Final Score: 100-128
Rebounds: 40-52
Assists: 23-29
Blocks: 3-9
Steals: 9-10
Turnovers: 11-11
Stat Leaders
(Pelicans/Cavaliers)
Scoring Leaders: Antonio Reeves, 34; Ty Jerome, 29
Rebound Leaders: Yves Missi, 8; Jaylon Tyson, 11
Assist Leaders: Elfrid Payton, 8; Jaylon Tyson, Craig Porter Jr., 7
My Player of the Game: Antonio Reeves
Takeaways
- If you didn't know who Austin Reeves was before this game, well you should now. The rookie scored 34 points against the best team in the NBA right now.
- The Pels were without Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado, and Zion Williamson in this game. So there's that.
- BI and Trey Murphy will hopefully be available for Friday's home game against the Warriors, and it's got to be close to time for McCollum and Jones to be coming back as well.
- New Orleans is 4-12 on the season, and are the second to last team in the Western Conference standings.
- It can only get better from here.
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Team Stats (Mavericks @ Pelicans) Final Score: 113-119 Rebounds: 57-51 Assists: 29-28 Blocks: 4-9 Steals: 9-9 Turnovers: 16-12 Stat Leaders Scoring Leaders: Anthony Davis, 35; Zion Williamson, 24 Rebound Leaders: Anthony Davis, 17; Derik Queen, 10 Assist Leaders: Ryan Nembhard, 8; Derik Queen, 6 My Player of the Game: Zion Williamson Chrissy's Key Takeaways * This is the first five-game win streak for the New Orleans Pelicans since 2023. * James Borrego has turned this team around, not only offensively but they are so much better defensively. * This is the fourth game in a row that Zion is coming off the bench and it is making the Pelicans into an insanely deep team. Z says he trusts Borrego and is fine with the role. * DQ is getting better every game, and as a rookie, it's beautiful to see. * The Pelicans play again on Tuesday against the Cavaliers on the road. Follow @TheKneaux on X, and follow me there too, @SportsChrissy.
Team Stats (Pacers @ Pelicans) Final Score: 109-128 Rebounds: 42-49 Assists: 28-25 Blocks: 5-2 Steals: 7-6 Turnovers: 14-16 Stat Leaders (Pacers/Pelicans) Scoring Leaders: Pascal Siakam, 22; Zion Williamson, 29 Rebound Leaders: Jay Huff, 6; Derik Queen, 10 Assist Leaders: T.J. McConnell, 8; Jordan Poole, 6 My Player of the Game: Zion Williamson Takeaways Zion Williamson came off the bench and scored 29 points in the Pelicans' fourth straight win of the season. The Pelicans only trailed for 17 seconds total in this game. Indiana began the third quarter with an 11-5 run to pull within 69-60. Williamson entered the game less than four minutes into the period and quickly scored seven straight New Orleans points to push the lead to 16. The Pelicans (7-22) will play the Dallas Mavericks at 7 p.m. Monday in the Smoothie King Center. Follow The Kneaux on X , and follow me there too @SportsChrissy.