Zion Williamson leads Pelicans to 143-130 win over Bulls, ending 9-game skid

The New Orleans Pelicans finally broke through — and it was Zion Williamson who made sure they didn’t go down quietly. On Monday, November 24, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, the Pelicans outlasted the Chicago Bulls 143-130, snapping a brutal nine-game losing streak and handing interim coach James Borrego his first win since replacing the fired Willie Green. The crowd of 16,869 rose to their feet as the final seconds ticked away — not just for the win, but for the relief of something finally going right.

Williamson’s Firepower Ignites the Comeback

Zion Williamson didn’t just play well — he played like the franchise cornerstone everyone still believes he can be. The 24-year-old forward dropped 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting in just 32 minutes, adding two steals and two assists. He was electric in the second quarter, turning a 40-32 lead into a 55-33 blowout with a three-point play that sparked a 14-2 run over the final 3:17. His finger-roll layup at the halftime buzzer sealed a 74-58 advantage, and the Bulls never truly recovered. It wasn’t just scoring — it was presence. He drew double teams, opened lanes, and forced Chicago to scramble. The Pelicans shot 51% from the field and 37% from deep, but it was Williamson’s ability to attack the rim that kept the Bulls guessing.

Bey’s Late Clutch Shots Hold the Line

Just when it looked like the Bulls might rally — and they did, cutting a 18-point lead to single digits in the final two minutes — Saddiq Bey answered. The 25-year-old forward, acquired in the offseason, hit back-to-back three-pointers in the final 1:12, turning potential panic into a controlled finish. He finished with 20 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, playing 35 minutes with a quiet toughness that belied his stats. "He didn’t say much," said Borrego after the game. "But when the game was on the line, he made the right play. Again and again. That’s leadership."

Bulls’ Offense Sputters Under Pressure

For all their firepower, the Bulls couldn’t close. Ayo Dosunmu led Chicago with 28 points, and Coby White added 24, but the team’s offense became too reliant on isolation plays in the fourth quarter. Josh Giddey had 21 points and looked poised to take over, but the Pelicans’ defense — particularly from Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones — disrupted his rhythm. Chicago shot an impressive 20-of-50 from three, but their turnover count (still unconfirmed, but likely over 20) and poor late-game execution doomed them. They entered the game winners of four of their last five, but the Pelicans’ physicality and energy were too much to overcome.

A Franchise at a Crossroads

This win means more than just a record change. The Pelicans were 2-10 when Willie Green was fired on November 14, 2025 — a move that felt desperate, even to longtime fans. Since then, the team had lost nine straight by an average of 14.2 points. Many wondered if the rebuild had gone too far. Now, with a 3-15 record, they’re still 9.5 games behind the Western Conference-leading Houston Rockets (11-4). But for the first time in weeks, there’s a pulse. The fans who stayed past the third quarter? They weren’t just there for the game. They were there for hope.

What’s Next for Both Teams?

The Pelicans host the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 — a chance to build momentum before the All-Star break. Meanwhile, the Bulls travel to the Spectrum Center in Charlotte on Friday, November 28, 2025, to face the Hornets. Chicago, at 9-8, still sits comfortably in the East’s playoff picture — but this loss exposed their lack of defensive discipline and late-game poise.

The Bigger Picture

This game wasn’t just about two teams. It was about identity. The Pelicans are still young, still flawed, still searching. But with Williamson healthy and playing like a top-5 player, and Bey emerging as a reliable two-way force, there’s a foundation forming. The Bulls, meanwhile, have talent — Dosunmu, Giddey, White — but no clear hierarchy. Who’s the leader? Who takes the last shot? Those questions linger after a game like this.

And then there’s the officiating. Referees Eric Lewis, John Goble, and Mitchell Ervin called 45 personal fouls — 22 on Chicago, 23 on New Orleans — and six technicals. The physicality was high, the tension palpable. It felt like a playoff game in November. Maybe that’s what this team needed. A fight. A real one.