Toronto Raptors' RJ Barrett, second from right, scores against New Orleans Pelicans' Jordan Hawkins (24) during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Friday March 27 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Chris Young
The New Orleans Pelicans didn't have Trey Murphy, Dejounte Murray or much of a chance Friday night.
The Pelicans wrapped up their 3-game road trip with a 119-106 loss to the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena.
Despite a solid night from Zion Williamson, the Pelicans (25-50) lost their fourth consecutive game.
Williamson finished with 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists. He shot 9-of-13 from the floor.
The Pelicans lost by double digits for the second straight night after losing to the Detroit Pistons 129-108 Thursday.
"We couldn’t get enough stops to get out in transition," said Pelicans' interim head coach James Borrego. "The ball was sticking too much. Just 21 assists tonight. Last night I thought it was the same thing."
Murphy missed his second consecutive game dealing with a right ankle sprain. Murray (right Achilles injury management) sat out since it was the second night of a back-to-back.
"Having those two guys out tonight, they generate a lot of offense for us," Borrego said. "I thought Z brought it tonight. He was aggressive from the start and had the right mindset."
The Pels’ starting lineup consisted of Jeremiah Fears, Herb Jones, Williamson, Saddiq Bey and Yves Missi. For Fears, it was his first start since January 21. Fears scored 10 points to go with his four rebounds. Bey scored 19.
The Pelicans fell in a 23-10 hole in the first quarter, but then got a spark off the bench from Jordan Poole and DeAndre Jordan to cut that deficit to 23-20. Poole had three assists and converted on a 4-point play during the stretch. But the Raptors (41-32) outscored the Pels 30-19 in the second quarter to pull away.
Derik Queen finished with 13 points and Poole had 12 to lead a bench that provided 46 points.
The Raptors avenged their 122-111 loss to the Pels at the Smoothie King Center two weeks ago. Former Pelicans' star Brandon Ingram scored 13 points with six rebounds for Toronto.
The Pelicans return home and host the Houston Rockets Sunday at 6 p.m.
"We’ve got to get back home and get back to a playing style we’ve been moving towards," Borrego said.