CJ McCollum could not be stopped.

Trey Murphy played like a veteran.

Larry Nance Jr. connected the dots.

And the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Sacramento Kings, 136-104 on Sunday, Feb. 5 at home.

Herb Jones’ defense was contagious as the team turned defense into offense the whole game. The entire team was phenomenal in the win tonight. Naji Marshall was hoopin’, Willy Hernangomez was everywhere he needed to be and scored a double-double, Jaxson Hayes moved to the open spaces instead of standing in the corner too long, and Jose’ Alvarado was quiet but proficient.

The Pelicans were in control the whole game, beginning with McCollum making the first basket of the night. Brandon Ingram had the night off with “toe soreness,” but with it being the second game in as many nights, resting the Pelicans’ star was most likely just to give him rest.

Jonas Valančiūnas did not play after he injured his right knee in Saturday’s game against the Lakers. However, the MRI came back with no damage to the knee so he sat only as a precautionary measure.

The Pelicans are now 27-27 on the season and sitting in eighth place in the Western Conference. This team definitely seems to have busted out of their slump and are back to regular form. And all of this was done tonight without Ingram and Zion Williamson. The rest of this season is going to be fun.

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