Pelicans vs. Wizards Recap: The good, the bad and the Lonzo Ball
Behind a career-high seven 3-pointers from Brandon Ingram, the New Orleans Pelicans snapped their losing streak with a 124-106 win over the Wizards.
New Orleans jumped out to a big lead in the first half, built it up to as large as 26 points in the second half and then held off a late rally from Washington to end its three-game losing streak. Ingram knocked down seven three-pointers, tying a career-best mark, on his way to 32 points on the night. He also added eight assists and six rebounds.
Zion Williamson matched him with 32 points, most of those coming in the first half, and Eric Bledsoe stepped up with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Bradley Beal had 47 points for Washington in the loss.
The Good: Bradley Beal
Typically reserved for something related to the Pelicans, it's impossible to not acknowledge what Bradley Beal did. A 24-point fourth quarter and 31 in the second half pulled Washington back into a game that they trailed by as many as 26. Beal finished 17-for-37 from the field, 6-of-14 from 3-point territory and 7-of-7 from the free throw line for his 47 points. The rest of the Wizards hit just 20 field goals and seven three-pointers in the loss. Honorable mentions: Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson
The Bad: The second half
The Pelicans looked well on their way to an easy victory in the first half, opening up a lead that cleared 20 points before heading into the locker room with a 64-45 lead. While the team initially pushed the lead to 26 points, the largest of the night in the third quarter, a Beal-inspired run saw the margin shrink and shrink and shrink before dipping into single digits midway through the fourth quarter. Big 3-point baskets from Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart kept the Wizards at bay but it wasn't exactly a great showing in the second half, a time in the game that the Pelicans have struggled in this season.
The Lonzo Ball: Injured again
After a positive first half, Lonzo Ball exited the game just before halftime with an ankle injury. Ball came up limp on the defensive end of the court after coming off a screen. He still threw a full-court pass to Williamson for an assist but left the floor and headed straight to the locker room. Ball did not return in the second half after being listed as questionable to return. He finished with nine points on 3-of-8 shooting overall and 3-of-7 shooting from range to go with four assists and two rebounds in 16 minutes.
