In a thrilling matchup on January 14, 2026, the New Orleans Pelicans narrowly defeated the Brooklyn Nets with a final score of 116-113. The star of the night was Trey Murphy III, who delivered an impressive performance by scoring 34 points. His clutch plays included a crucial tying three-pointer, a powerful dunk following an offensive rebound, and two critical free throws in the final 64 seconds of the game.
Zion Williamson also made a significant contribution, adding 25 points to the Pelicans' score. This victory marked only the second win for New Orleans out of their last thirteen games, highlighting their need for a turnaround. Additionally, Yves Missi played a key role with a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds, showcasing his ability to dominate on the boards, particularly with nine offensive rebounds that helped the team secure a total of 33 second-chance points.
On the opposing side, Egor Demin shined for the Nets, scoring 17 points, including five successful three-pointers. His last three-pointer momentarily put Brooklyn ahead 110-107 with just 1:28 remaining. However, Saddiq Bey quickly responded with a three-pointer of his own to tie the game, all while the shot clock was about to expire. Bey's dunk came after he skillfully retrieved a long rebound from a missed deep three-point attempt by Murphy, and he capped off his contributions with two free throws, sealing the game just five seconds before the final buzzer.
Bey finished the night with 12 points, showcasing his versatility and clutch performance under pressure. For the Nets, Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points, but despite a frantic effort in the closing moments of the game, he couldn't land a last-second shot after recovering a loose ball near midcourt as time expired.
Drake Powell and Day'Ron Sharpe also made notable contributions for Brooklyn, with Powell scoring 16 points and Sharpe adding 15 points along with nine rebounds. Unfortunately for the Nets, this loss marked their eighth defeat in nine games, raising questions about their current form and strategy going forward.
Early in the game, the Nets took a commanding lead, partially thanks to Demin's hot shooting, which saw them leading by as much as 12 points. However, the Pelicans fought back and ended the first half trailing narrowly at 55-54, following a layup from Williamson. By the end of the third quarter, the score was tied at 87, setting the stage for a tense finish.
Entering the fourth quarter, the Pelicans had struggled defensively, holding the worst opponent shooting percentage in the NBA at 50.5% during this period. The Nets capitalized on this by scoring the first seven points of the final quarter. This prompted Pelicans head coach James Borrego to call a timeout to regroup his team. After the break, the Pelicans surged back, launching a powerful 15-4 run led by Murphy, who scored nine points during this stretch and assisted on a dunk by Karlo Matkovic, setting up an exhilarating conclusion.
Looking ahead, the Nets are scheduled to host the Chicago Bulls next, while the Pelicans will be visiting the Indiana Pacers. Fans will undoubtedly be eager to see how both teams adjust and respond in their upcoming matchups.
