The Brooklyn Nets dominated the New Orleans Pelicans in a blowout win, with Michael Porter Jr. leading the charge.
The Brooklyn Nets took down the New Orleans Pelicans with a final score of 145-111.
Michael Porter Jr.'s Big Night
- Scored 22 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and had 3 assists in 28 minutes
The Pelicans' Struggles Continue
- Allowing 116.8 points per 100 possessions, fifth worst in the NBA
The Nets are on a four-game road trip, and this win will give them some much-needed momentum.
The Impact of Zion Williamson's Three-Pointers
Zion Williamson has taken more three-pointers this season than expected for a player of his type. This could be a sign that the Pelicans are trying to stretch their offense and create space on the court.
The Players Who Stepped Up
I was impressed by the Nets' bench players, who really carried the team tonight. Mills had 17 points off the bench, while Green added 15.
On the other hand, I was disappointed by the Pelicans' lack of effort on defense. Zion Williamson is still struggling to find his shot from beyond the arc, and it's clear that they're trying to force him into a role that doesn't quite suit him yet. He took 7 three-pointers tonight, but only made 2. It's going to be an uphill battle for them to turn their season around if they can't get him more involved in the offense.
By the Numbers: Brooklyn Nets at New Orleans Pelicans
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Nets | 39 | 44 | 24 | 38 | 145 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 25 | 41 | 15 | 30 | 111 |
Points by quarter
| Player | Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zion Williamson | New Orleans Pelicans | 5 | 15 | 9 | – | 29 |
| Egor Demin | Brooklyn Nets | 3 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 22 |
| Michael Porter Jr. | Brooklyn Nets | 9 | 5 | 8 | – | 22 |
| Julius Randle | Brooklyn Nets | 6 | 11 | – | – | 17 |
| Moritz Wagner | Brooklyn Nets | 7 | 6 | – | 3 | 16 |
| Noah Clowney | Brooklyn Nets | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 16 |
| Day'Ron Sharpe | Brooklyn Nets | 3 | 6 | 6 | – | 15 |
| Saddiq Bey | New Orleans Pelicans | 3 | 11 | – | 1 | 15 |
Top 5 by points
| # | Player | Team | Points | Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zion Williamson | New Orleans Pelicans | 29 | 29 pts · 4 reb · 2 ast · FG 8-14 · 30 min |
| 2 | Michael Porter Jr. | Brooklyn Nets | 22 | 22 pts · 6 reb · 3 ast · FG 7-14 · 28 min |
| 3 | Egor Demin | Brooklyn Nets | 22 | 22 pts · 1 reb · 1 ast · FG 5-8 · 23 min |
| 4 | Julius Randle | Brooklyn Nets | 17 | 17 pts · 4 reb · 5 ast · FG 6-16 · 29 min |
| 5 | Noah Clowney | Brooklyn Nets | 16 | 16 pts · 3 reb · 0 ast · FG 5-7 · 19 min |
Best on the night
- Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans): 29 pts · 4 reb · 2 ast · FG 8-14 · 30 min
- Michael Porter Jr. (Brooklyn Nets): 22 pts · 6 reb · 3 ast · FG 7-14 · 28 min
- Egor Demin (Brooklyn Nets): 22 pts · 1 reb · 1 ast · FG 5-8 · 23 min
Rough night
- Herbert Jones (New Orleans Pelicans): 2 pts on FG 1-6, 2 turnovers, 4 fouls in 25 min
- Karlo Matkovic (New Orleans Pelicans): 4 pts on FG 2-6, 2 turnovers, 4 fouls in 22 min
- Chaney Johnson (Brooklyn Nets): 4 pts on FG 1-2, 1 turnovers, 5 fouls in 15 min
Fouls
Team fouls: Brooklyn Nets 25 · New Orleans Pelicans 29. Foul trouble: Chaney Johnson (Brooklyn Nets, 5).
Injuries and absences
- Egor Demin (Brooklyn Nets) — Out: Demin (leg) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Pelicans, Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.com reports.
- Trendon Watford (New Orleans Pelicans) — Out: Watford (ankle) is out for Wednesday's game against the Nets.
- Yves Missi (New Orleans Pelicans) — Out: Missi (knee) is out for Friday's game against Minnesota.
Injury update
Dejounte Murray (New Orleans Pelicans) is listed out — Murray (ankle) is out for Friday's game against Memphis. (report of 2026-11-13), per the league's injury report.
Bryce McGowens (New Orleans Pelicans) is listed out — McGowens (elbow) is listed as out for Friday's game against the Grizzlies. (report of 2026-11-13), per the league's injury report.
What This Means for the Rest of the Season
The Nets' win tonight is a big momentum booster for them, but it's not like they're suddenly going to be a lock for the playoffs. They still have some tough games ahead of them on this road trip, including matchups against the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers. But if they can keep playing at this level, they'll definitely be in the mix come April.
For the Pelicans, it's back to the drawing board. They need to figure out how to get Zion more involved in the offense, and they need to start defending better. It's not like they're getting blown out every game - they've had some close losses too - but they just can't seem to put it all together yet. I'm still optimistic about their chances, though. They've got a talented young core, and with some tweaks on defense and offense, they could be a real force in the league.
Nashs Coaching Decisions Leave Much to Be Desired Over Pelicans
I've been thinking about Steve Nash's coaching decisions tonight, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around some of his choices. It's not like they're getting any better - in fact, they're still one of the worst teams in the league when it comes to three-point shooting.
And then there's the issue of Zion Williamson's role on offense. I get that he's a talented player, but forcing him into a three-point specialist role just doesn't seem like the right fit for his game. He's got so much more potential as a scorer and rebounder, but you can tell he's trying to adapt to what the coaches want from him. It's a shame, really - I think they're missing out on some great opportunities by not letting him play to his strengths.
The Impact on Fan Engagement
I know it might seem like a small thing, but I think tonight's game is going to have a big impact on fan engagement for both teams. The Nets' win will give their fans a much-needed boost of confidence, and they'll be eager to see how their team performs in the next few games. Meanwhile, the Pelicans' struggles are going to be tough to watch - their fans are already frustrated, and this loss is just going to add fuel to the fire.
As someone who's been following both teams all season, I can tell you that it's not just about the wins and losses - it's about the way these teams make their fans feel. And right now, the Nets are doing a great job of creating a positive atmosphere around their team, while the Pelicans are struggling to get their fans excited about what they're seeing on the court.
As I watched this game, I couldn't help but think about how the Nets' win will affect their standing in the league. With this blowout victory, they'll likely move up in the standings and become a more formidable opponent for teams like the Dallas Mavericks, who they lost to just last Sunday.
