The NBA’s worst two teams will square off for the second time in three days on Sunday, when the New Orleans Pelicans visit the Washington Wizards.
The Pelicans, whose 6-29 mark still ranks them last in the league, snapped an 11-game losing streak on Friday when CJ McCollum tied his career-high with 50 points as New Orleans’ fans finally had something to cheer about in a 132-120 home victory.
It was New Orleans’ first win since Dec. 5 against the visiting Phoenix Suns. If the Pelicans are going to clinch their first winning streak since beginning the season 2-0, they’ll have to win on the road — a seemingly impossible task for them this year. New Orleans is 1-15 away from the Smoothie King Center.
On pace for their worst campaign in franchise history, the Pelicans haven’t had much to celebrate this season, but McCollum’s 50-point night highlighted a brutal stretch.
“This season, obviously, has been difficult for a lot of reasons,” McCollum said Friday. “We haven’t won games and haven’t played particularly well consistently, and it’s frustrating. I think for us, it’s about being a professional, and I pride myself on trying to do things the right way, trying to prepare.
“We took a step in the right direction tonight,” he continued. “We’ve got more games to win, but I think tonight was about going out and playing hard. The team that played harder was going to win tonight.”
McCollum made 18 of 27 shots from the field and knocked down 10 3-pointers, raising his scoring average to 22.7 points per game — tied with Zion Williamson for the team lead. Williamson hasn’t played since Nov. 6 and is week-to-week with a strained left hamstring.
Fitting with an injury-riddled season for the Pelicans, Brandon Ingram (22.2 ppg) has been sidelined since Dec. 7 while he deals with an ankle injury. Trey Murphy III adds 20.6 ppg, followed by Dejounte Murray’s 15.5.
The Wizards would drop below New Orleans for the league’s worst win percentage if they are swept in the two-game series on Sunday.
Losers in five of seven games, Washington is limping into the new year. The Wizards led by six at halftime on Friday before being outscored 70-52 in the second half. Jordan Poole scored 26 for Washington, while second-overall pick Alex Sarr added 19.
In a dreadful start to the season for the Wizards, a bright spot has been Sarr’s play. The 7-footer has scored in double figures in 11 straight games, and is averaging 11.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
“We’ve talked about this a lot, he’s growing and learning with each moment and each game,” Wizards head coach Brian Keefe said of Sarr. “When he rebounds the ball, he’s got the license to push the ball up the court because we think he makes really good decisions. … We’re excited by what he’s going to be.”
Poole’s 21.8 points per game pace the Wizards, followed by Kyle Kuzma’s 14.5 and Malcolm Brogdon’s 14.4.
