In a thrilling display of resilience, Saddiq Bey led the New Orleans Pelicans to a stunning 133-128 overtime victory against the Houston Rockets on Thursday night, scoring a season-high 29 points. What's remarkable about this game is that Bey tallied 21 of those points in the second half, helping his team recover from a daunting 25-point deficit during the third quarter.
The Pelicans’ impressive comeback was bolstered by Trey Murphy, who contributed 27 points, and Herb Jones, who not only scored 18 points but also recorded a career-best eight steals before fouling out. This victory marked the Pelicans’ third consecutive win, a significant turnaround for a team that had struggled earlier in the season, clinching just three wins out of their first 25 games.
On the other side, Jordan Poole made crucial contributions with 15 points, including two free throws that put the Pelicans ahead 131-128 with just 12 seconds remaining in overtime. Meanwhile, the Rockets’ Reed Sheppard faced a tough moment as he missed two three-point attempts in the dying seconds. Bey secured the rebound and confidently sank two free throws with only two seconds left on the clock, sealing the victory and igniting jubilation among the fans who had been on their feet in anticipation through the closing moments of regulation.
Houston's Kevin Durant shone brightly with 32 points, supported by Alperen Sengun’s 28 points, yet despite their efforts, Sengun’s last-minute attempt to score the winning shot fell short after he ventured into the paint. In a tense moment late in the fourth quarter, Sengun missed two critical free throws, allowing the Pelicans to draw level at 117 points thanks to Bey’s skillful finger roll with just 31 seconds left.
Rookie sensation Derik Queen also made his mark with a solid performance, recording 16 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks. His pivotal 18-foot jumper initiated an 11-0 run early in the fourth quarter, which brought the Pelicans closer at 101-96, demonstrating the team’s growing momentum.
Durant was instrumental for the Rockets at the start, netting 13 points in the first quarter alone, making his initial five shots, three of which were three-pointers. In stark contrast, the Pelicans struggled significantly in the first half, missing 20 of their 29 attempts in the paint, resulting in Houston leading 67-45 by halftime.
New Orleans gradually chipped away at the lead during the third quarter, reducing their deficit to 13 points before entering the final quarter trailing 99-83.
Looking ahead, the Rockets will face off against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, while the Pelicans are set to host the Indiana Pacers the same day.
