Key Takeaways:
- Saddiq Bey recorded a season-high 29 points, with 21 scored after half-time
- The Pelicans erased a 25-point third-quarter deficit to secure a 133-128 overtime victory against the Rockets, matching the franchise’s largest-ever comeback
- Herb Jones notched a career-high eight steals before fouling out, helping New Orleans achieve their third consecutive win
Historic Comeback in New Orleans
The New Orleans Pelicans mounted a remarkable comeback, overturning a 25-point deficit in the third quarter to overcome the Houston Rockets 133-128 after overtime. This marks the largest second-half comeback in Pelicans history and matches the franchise record for greatest comeback, dating back to their inaugural 2002-03 campaign.
MAKE IT DUBS x3!!!#Pelicans | @HancockWhitney pic.twitter.com/Q9ZCzN9LRe
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 19, 2025
Bey’s Crucial Performance and Key Moments
Saddiq Bey delivered a season-high 29 points, with 21 coming after the interval to spearhead the Pelicans’ resurgence. Trey Murphy added 27 points, while Herb Jones contributed 18 points and set a new personal best with eight steals before fouling out. This effort has seen New Orleans claim three consecutive wins, a sharp turnaround after managing just three victories from their first 25 fixtures.
Jordan Poole’s 15 points featured two crucial free throws with 12 seconds left in overtime to give New Orleans a 131-128 edge. In a tense finish, Houston’s Reed Sheppard missed a pair of long-range attempts as the clock wound down, allowing Bey to secure the rebound and convert the game-sealing free throws with just 2 seconds remaining. The crowd, on its feet since late in regulation, celebrated the unlikely win as the final buzzer sounded.
Houston’s Bright Start and Pelicans’ Persistence
Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 32 points, while Alperen Sengun added 28. Sengun, however, was unable to attempt a potential game-winner as regulation expired after driving into the paint. Earlier, he missed a pair of free throws with 43 seconds left in the fourth, paving the way for New Orleans’ comeback, which Bey completed with a driving finger roll to level scores at 117 with 31 seconds remaining.
Rookie Derik Queen totalled 16 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks, his 18-foot jumper igniting an 11-0 Pelicans run early in the fourth. Murphy capped the surge with a dunk that brought the deficit down to 101-96.
| Player | Team | Points | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saddiq Bey | Pelicans | 29 | 21 points after halftime |
| Trey Murphy | Pelicans | 27 | 7/7 FT |
| Herb Jones | Pelicans | 18 | Career-high 8 steals |
| Kevin Durant | Rockets | 32 | 13 first-quarter points |
| Alperen Sengun | Rockets | 28 | Missed key free throws in Q4 |
| Derik Queen | Rockets | 16 | 12 rebounds, 3 blocks |
| Jordan Poole | Pelicans | 15 | 2 OT free throws (12 seconds left) |
First Half: Rockets Dominate Early Stages
Houston dictated much of the first half, with Durant striking for 13 points in the opening quarter by converting his first five shots, including three from beyond the arc. The Rockets carried a 67-45 advantage into the break, capitalising as the Pelicans struggled for efficiency – they missed 20 out of 29 shots in the paint before half-time.
Despite trimming the margin to 13 during the third quarter, New Orleans still faced a 99-83 deficit entering the final period. Their steady persistence, however, paid off spectacularly by the final whistle.
Looking Ahead
- Rockets will travel to face the Denver Nuggets on Saturday
- Pelicans will host the Indiana Pacers on Saturday
