The New Orleans Pelicans didn’t just win on Monday night — they exploded. A 143-130 thrashing of the Chicago Bulls at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans wasn’t just a stopgap victory; it was a release valve for a team drowning in frustration. The win, on November 24, 2025, ended a nine-game skid — their longest since 2017 — and gave interim coach James Borrego his first win in six games, replacing the fired Willie Green just 10 days prior. And it all started with Zion Williamson, who tied his season high with 29 points, attacking the rim like a man who hadn’t tasted victory in over two weeks.
Eight in Double Figures: A Team Effort
This wasn’t a Zion show. It was a symphony.
Eight Pelicans scored in double figures — a rarity in the modern NBA, especially for a team with a 2-15 record entering the game. Saddiq Bey dropped 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, including two clutch threes late to stave off a Bulls rally. Trey Murphy III added 20 more, while Jose Alvarado and Yves Missi each posted 16 and 14 points respectively, with Missi also matching Bey’s 14 boards. Even bench players like Bryce McGowens and Micah Peavy chipped in 11 and 10. The ball moved. The shots fell. The energy? Electric.
Blowout, Then a Nail-Biter
The Pelicans built a 22-point lead in the second quarter — 55-33 — after Trey Murphy III completed a three-point play with a reverse layup and a foul on Bulls guard Smith. By halftime, they were up 74-58, thanks to a pair of dazzling finishes by Williamson: a driving layup and a finger-roll that left defenders grasping at air. Fans were already standing, chanting his name. But the Bulls, desperate and without their anchor, didn’t quit.
With Nikola Vučević sidelined — the 6-foot-10 center from Montenegro missed the game, as confirmed by the Bulls’ official website — New Orleans outrebounded Chicago by 22. That’s not a stat. That’s a statement. Without Vučević’s presence in the paint, the Bulls had no answer for Missi or Bey inside. But late in the fourth, Chicago clawed back. The lead, once 18 with 5:15 left, shrank to single digits. The arena held its breath. Then, with 1:12 on the clock, Williamson drew a double team and kicked to Bey for a wide-open three. That dagger silenced the comeback.
Coach Borrego’s First Win — And What It Means
James Borrego didn’t inherit a contender. He inherited a team reeling from internal chaos. Willie Green was fired on November 14, 2025, after a 2-10 start. Borrego, a former head coach with the Charlotte Hornets, was promoted from assistant. His first five games? Losses. All of them. By double digits. The pressure was suffocating.
"I didn’t come here to watch us lose," Borrego said in his postgame interview, posted on the Pelicans’ YouTube channel. "I came here to help these guys find their identity. Tonight, they did that. Not because of one guy — because of eight."
That’s the real story. Not Williamson’s 29. Not the 143 points. It’s that eight different players stepped up — and believed. For a team that’s lost 13 of 15, that’s a seismic shift.
What Went Wrong for Chicago?
The Bulls’ struggles went beyond Vučević’s absence. Their bench scored just 22 points. Coby White, their leading scorer, shot 5-for-18. They turned the ball over 19 times. And defensively? They looked lost. The Pelicans shot 52% from the field and 41% from three — numbers that should’ve been impossible for a team with New Orleans’ depth issues.
"We didn’t match their energy," said Bulls coach Billy Donovan after the game. "They wanted it more. And in this league, that’s often the difference between winning and losing — especially when you’re missing your best big man."
What’s Next?
The Pelicans, now 3-15, host the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 — another tough test. The Bulls, at 6-12, travel to Charlotte on Friday night, hoping to rebound against a Hornets team that’s been surprisingly resilient.
But here’s the twist: this win might not change the Pelicans’ playoff odds. It’s still mathematically improbable. But it changed their spirit. For the first time since November 5, 2025 — when they beat Dallas 118-112 — they played like a team that believed they could win. And in the NBA, belief is often the most valuable asset of all.
Fun fact: Sofascore.com listed the game as happening on November 25 — a clear error. Every authoritative source — AP, ESPN, CBS Sports, the Bulls’ site — confirmed the date as November 24. Even ESPN’s recap page mistakenly pulled up a Warriors-Jazz game. But in New Orleans? No confusion. The scoreboard told the truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Zion Williamson’s performance compare to his season averages?
Zion Williamson’s 29 points tied his season high, well above his average of 22.4 points per game entering the game. He also added six rebounds and three assists, showing improved efficiency with 11-of-18 shooting — his best field goal percentage in over three weeks. His 29-point output was his highest since October 29 against Portland, and the first time he scored over 25 since November 2.
Why was Nikola Vučević absent, and how critical was his absence?
Vučević missed the game due to a lingering left ankle sprain, his third straight absence. The Bulls were outrebounded 58-36, with New Orleans grabbing 22 more boards — the largest differential in any game this season. Vučević averages 11.2 rebounds per game. Without him, Chicago’s interior defense collapsed, and the Pelicans exploited the gap with Yves Missi and Saddiq Bey dominating the paint.
What does this win mean for James Borrego’s future as head coach?
While the Pelicans’ front office hasn’t made any promises, this win significantly boosts Borrego’s credibility. After five straight losses, his ability to rally a fractured roster and get eight players to score in double figures suggests he can manage talent effectively. If the Pelicans win two of their next three, Borrego could be named permanent head coach before the trade deadline.
Is this win a sign the Pelicans are turning a corner?
It’s too early to call it a turnaround — they’re still 3-15 — but this game showed a new identity: balanced scoring, defensive effort, and leadership from Williamson. The team’s net rating improved by 12 points per 100 possessions from their previous game. If they can replicate this energy against Memphis and beyond, they might avoid the worst record in franchise history — and that’s progress.
What’s the significance of eight players scoring in double figures?
It’s rare in the NBA, especially for a team with a losing record. Only six teams in the league this season have had eight or more players reach double figures in a single game. The Pelicans hadn’t done it since January 2024. This kind of balance makes teams harder to scout and defend — and it’s exactly what Borrego preached in practice: "No stars. Just shooters, finishers, and warriors."
When was the last time the Pelicans won at home?
Their previous home win was on October 31, 2025, against the Sacramento Kings — a 122-118 overtime thriller. Since then, they’d lost seven straight at the Smoothie King Center, including blowouts to the Spurs and Thunder. This win snapped a seven-game home losing streak and gave the arena its first standing ovation since the All-Star break last season.
