NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Brandon Ingram hit all five of his three-pointers and led all scorers with 31 points, and Zion Williamson dominated the paint by scoring 26 points on 12-for-16 shooting to power the New Orleans Pelicans to a 129-93 victory over the Sacramento Kings yesterday.
Ingram said his offensive synergy with Williamson will continue to grow as the two stars get more playing time together. Injuries have short-circuited that in the last three seasons.
“It’s just communication,” Ingram said. “If somebody has it going, you’re going to let him keep going. I got it going (in the third quarter). There’s enough time on the basketball clock, and it’s being patient and getting the best shot on the floor.
The Pelicans trailed 47-43 midway through the second quarter and used a 44-10 scoring outburst spanning the second and third quarters to build an 87-57 lead.
Harrison Barnes scored 16 points and De’Aaron Fox 14 for Pacific Division-leading Sacramento. Fox and Donatus Sabonis, who finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, did not play in the fourth quarter.
Fox refused to place blame on the Kings playing the second game of a back-to-back after a 129-113 win at Dallas.
Keegan Murray injured his lower back and did not play in the second half. Guard Chris Duarte sustained a left hand injury and did not return for the Kings.
Ingram had 18 points on six-for-10 shooting, including all four of his 3s, as New Orleans outscored Sacrament 34-16 third quarter and snapped the Kings’ six-game winning streak.
Williamson, who missed Saturday’s game against Minnesota for rest, had 18 points in the second quarter, shooting eight for 11 as the Pelicans outscored the Kings 37-22 to take a 66-53 halftime lead.
While Ingram struck from the outside, Williamson did his damage inside on drives to his left against an overloaded Sacramento defence that couldn’t handle him.
Williamson scored eight points from close range during a 22-four run that turned a four-point deficit into a 65-51 lead. Pounding the ball inside helped New Orleans shoot 57.8 per cent (26 of 45) in the first half, and 54.3 per cent (50 of 92) for the game.
Fox entered the game having scored at least 28 points in all but one game. He finished five of eight from the floor.
The 36-point victory was the most lopsided of the season for New Orleans.
