The Pelicans bench stands up after New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado, center, made several consecutive points against the Chicago Bulls during the first half of their game at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Monday, November 24, 2025. (Photo by Chris Granger, The Times-Picayune)
PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER
Zion Williamson scored 29 points, Yves Missi and Saddiq Bey had double-doubles, five other teammates scored in double figures, and the New Orleans Pelicans ended a nine-game losing streak by defeating the Chicago Bulls 143-130 on Monday night in the Smoothie King Center.
Missi finished with season-highs of 14 points and 13 rebounds, Bey added 18 points and 12 rebounds, Trey Murphy scored 20, Jose Alvarado had 16, Jeremiah Fears scored 15, Bryce McGowens had a season-high 11 and Micah Peavy chipped in 10 for the Pelicans (3-15), who will face the Memphis Grizzlies at 7 p.m. Wednesday at home.
Herb Jones (right calf strain) missed his second consecutive game and will be re-evaluated in approximately one week.
Jordan Poole, who was diagnosed with a quad strain on Nov. 7, has been cleared to resume on-court basketball activities, but no timetable has been set for his return.
Ayo Dosunmu scored 26, Coby White had 22, Josh Giddey had 21, Jalen Smith scored 13, Jevon Carter put in 11, and Tre Jones had 10 points and 11 assists to lead the Bulls (9-8).
New Orleans had its highest-scoring first quarter, second quarter and third quarter of the season on its way to a season-high point total, surpassing the previous high of 124 in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Pelicans surpassed that total midway through the fourth quarter on Monday.
The Pelicans led by 16 points at halftime, but the Bulls twice got within eight points early in the third quarter. New Orleans rebuilt the lead to 22 before taking a 108-93 advantage into the fourth quarter.
Chicago crept within eight points in the final two minutes but couldn’t get any closer.
The score was tied five times and the lead changed hands six times before the Pelicans finished the first quarter with a strong push.
Alvarado came off the bench to score eight points and add six assists, and New Orleans held a 37-30 lead at the end of the period. It was the most points scored by the Pelicans in a first quarter this season, surpassing the 34 they had at Dallas last Friday night.
Williamson and Murphy scored six points each as New Orleans began the second quarter with an 18-3 run to take a 22-point lead — their largest of the season. The Pelicans wound up with their highest-scoring first half of the season, surpassing the 67 they scored in the season opener at Memphis, and led 74-58 at halftime.