This season’s Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans matchups have produced some enthralling, high‑octane basketball with numerous standout performances. Diving deep into the most recent three meetings—on December 12, 2024; February 8, 2025; and February 12–13, 2025—reveals not only superstar showings but also fascinating statistical trends from both teams.
1. December 12, 2024 – Kings Triumph 111–109
In New Orleans, the Kings edged out a thrilling 111–109 win. Domantas Sabonis absolutely dominated, exploding for a season-high 32 points, hauling down 20 rebounds, and adding 3 assists on an efficient 11-of-15 from the field and a perfect 9-of-9 at the line. DeMar DeRozan was no slouch either, contributing 29 points while De’Aaron Fox and Keegan Murray pitched in 18 each.
On the Pelicans’ side, C.J. McCollum was electric, pouring in 36 points including a clutch three-point play late in the game. Zion Williamson also chipped in 20 points. The game featured tight team stats—Kings led in rebounds (51–43), assists (24–22), and steals (12–6).
Key Insights:
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Sabonis achieved a 30–20 game, a rare elite feat, rounding out an efficient stat line that sealed the win.
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McCollum’s 36 pointed to his ability to take over offensively, but the Pelicans fell just short.
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The Kings’ edge on the boards and in steals was a deciding factor in the two-point victory.
2. February 8, 2025 – Kings Win 123–118
A nail-biter again, with the Kings claiming a narrow 123–118 win. Sabonis managed another stellar outing—27 points and 16 rebounds. Zach LaVine added 22 points and 5 assists, while Keegan Murray chipped in 19 points, and Malik Monk delivered 13 points with 7 assists.
The Pelicans relied heavily on Zion’s scoring prowess—40 points on 16-of-21 shooting—joined by McCollum’s 31 and Trey Murphy III’s 20. Despite their explosive offense, New Orleans lost the turnover battle (16–11) and was outperformed in rebounding (51–39) .
Key Insights:
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Zion’s dominance continued, yet the Pelicans struggled with discipline and ball security.
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Sacramento’s rebounding advantage provided crucial second-chance opportunities.
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Sabonis again emerged as the engine behind the Kings’ inside performance.
3. February 12–13, 2025 – Split OT Saga: 119–111 & 140–133
The saga unfolded with back-to-back encounters over two nights.
February 12, 2025 – Kings 119, Pelicans 111
In Game 1, the Kings prevailed 119–111. Keon Ellis burst off the bench, drilling seven threes and scoring 27 points. LaVine added 23, DeRozan 24, Monk 17, while Sabonis contributed a solid 16 points and 15 rebounds. Collectively, the Kings shot 35.6% from three, winning the shooting duel against the Pelicans’ 25%.
Zion put up 33 points and 9 rebounds, but his effort wasn’t enough. Trey Murphy III had 19, Alvarado added 18, and McCollum chipped in 14.
February 13, 2025 – Pelicans 140, Kings 133 (OT)
In a dramatic overtime sequel, the Pelicans snapped through a 140–133 road victory . CJ McCollum stole the show with a spectacular 43 points on 16-of-25 shooting, including 7 threes . Zion managed 22 points (with a career-game near 28 rebounds), LaVine responded with 32 for Sacramento, and Monk added 24.
Sabonis logged 22 points with a monstrous 28 rebounds—tying his season-high in boards . DeRozan added 20, while Keegan Murray scored 13.
Key Insights:
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The first game showcased role player impact with Ellis’s sharpshooting swing.
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In the second, it was a modern duel: McCollum dropped 43; Sabonis put up near-historic rebounding; but McCollum’s 43 carried New Orleans to OT glory.
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Both teams topped 130+ points—evidence of elite-paced, offensively oriented basketball.
4. Statistical Patterns & Player Comparisons
Across the trilogy of games, several recurring themes stand out:
Sabonis: Dominance Inside
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Rebounding: Sabonis posted 20, 16, and 15 rebounds across the three games—averaging ~17 rebounds/game, illustrating elite interior control.
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Scoring: Averaged over 25 points per game in these contests, highlighting his work as a pick-and-roll finisher and post scaler.
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Milestone Boards: His 28-rebound night on February 13 tied career-high and cemented his rebounding supremacy .
LaVine, DeRozan & Monk: Supporting Catalysts
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LaVine consistently put up 22–32 points and dished out meaningful assists in crucial stretches.
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DeRozan offered offensive reliability with 20+ points per game.
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Malik Monk, with his scoring bursts, added notable punch, especially in game one of February 12.
Zion & McCollum: Pelicans Power Punch
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Zion’s outputs (20, 33, 22) underline his scoring and rebounding impact—though forced in February 13’s OT loss.
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McCollum exploded for 36, 31, 14, and then a monstrous 43—his 43 being the defining factor in Pelicans victory .
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Trey Murphy III chipped in steady support with 19–20 points per game before his season-ending injury .
5. Season Averages & Context
Overall season data adds perspective:
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Pelicans leaders: Zion Williamson (avg 24.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG), Murphy (21.2 PPG), McCollum (~22 PPG) .
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Kings leaders: Fox (25 PPG), DeRozan (21.9), Sabonis (20.4 PPG, 14.3 RPG), LaVine (19.4) .
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Sabonis led the NBA in 14+ RPG, was top in assists among bigs (~6.3 APG)
6. Tactical Takeaways & Head-to-Head Patterns
These matchups underscore a modern basketball duel:
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Paint & Rebound Battle: Sabonis and Zion anchored their respective teams; the Kings frequently won the rebounding battle.
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Backcourt Firepower: McCollum and LaVine consistently traded punches, influencing outcomes dramatically.
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Depth Impact: Ellis and Monk provided critical bench scoring; role players swung momentum.
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Three-Point Influence: Kings’ superior 3‑point accuracy was decisive, especially in February’s first game.
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Turnovers & FTs: Pelicans often struggled with ball control; Kings capitalized on trips to the foul line.
7. What Lies Ahead: Strategic Outlook
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The Pelicans must tighten up defensively and cut down turnovers if they wish to contain Sacramento’s inside-outside synergy.
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The Kings should feed Sabonis the ball early—his interior dominance opens outside shots for perimeter scorers.
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Expect future clashes to revolve around which team can better neutralize the opposing frontcourt advantage and exploit role‑player contributions.
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Injury Watch: Trey Murphy III’s season-ending shoulder injury (torn labrum & rotator cuff) may hamper New Orleans’ bench scoring
Conclusion
The Kings vs Pelicans series this season has been a masterclass in statistical duels and explosive offense. From Sabonis’s rebounding feats to McCollum’s career-high 43, each game told a unique story. Clashes featured strategic duels—inside dominance, spacing exploits, and bench fireworks.
These matchups aren’t just games; they’re statistical spectacles. They show how individual excellence combines with team strategy to define outcomes. As this season progresses, fans can expect even higher stakes, sharper tactical adjustments, and more standout statistical performances when Sacramento meets New Orleans again.