Portland Trail Blazers vs New Orleans Pelicans Player Stats

Portland Trail Blazers vs New Orleans Pelicans Player Stats

The portland trail blazers vs new orleans pelicans match player stats from January 3, 2026, tell a much deeper story than the final score alone. Portland defeated New Orleans 122-109 at Smoothie King Center, but the numbers show how the game changed after a fast start by the Pelicans. New Orleans scored 37 points in the first quarter, then managed only 18 in the second and 20 in the third. Portland used that middle-game swing to take control before finishing with 37 points in the fourth quarter.

Deni Avdija was the central figure for Portland, producing 34 points, 7 rebounds, and 11 assists. Donovan Clingan controlled the glass with 15 rebounds, while Shaedon Sharpe scored 23 points and Caleb Love supplied 22 points from the bench. For New Orleans, Zion Williamson led all scorers with 35 points and added 8 rebounds, while Jeremiah Fears scored 18 and Jordan Poole finished with 16 points and 6 assists.

The official NBA record confirms the 122-109 result, Portland’s 15-20 record after the game, New Orleans’ 8-28 record, and the major individual performances.

Table of Contents

Game Overview

The matchup took place at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, with an announced attendance of 16,812. Portland entered the game at 15-20 overall and 8-11 on the road. New Orleans entered at 8-28 overall and 6-16 at home.

The final score was:

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Portland Trail Blazers 29 34 22 37 122
New Orleans Pelicans 37 18 20 34 109

At first glance, New Orleans appeared to have the early advantage. The Pelicans scored 37 points in the opening quarter while Portland managed 29.

That changed dramatically in the second quarter.

Portland scored 34 points while New Orleans scored only 18. The Blazers therefore turned an eight-point first-quarter deficit into a halftime lead. From there, Portland continued to control the game, particularly through its three-point shooting, free-throw efficiency, rebounding, and ability to limit turnovers.

The fourth quarter was competitive from a scoring perspective, with Portland scoring 37 points and New Orleans scoring 34. However, the Pelicans had already created too much ground to recover.

portland trail blazers vs new orleans pelicans match player stats

The individual numbers explain why Portland was able to overcome New Orleans’ 37-point first quarter.

Portland Player Leaders

Player Points Rebounds Assists FG 3PT FT
Deni Avdija 34 7 11 10-19 3-5 11-14
Shaedon Sharpe 23 5 1 9-18 1-6 4-4
Caleb Love 22 2 2 7-13 6-11 2-2
Toumani Camara 14 6 4 4-11 4-11 2-3
Donovan Clingan 11 15 1 5-10 0-3 1-2
Kris Murray 6 4 3 1-7 0-3 4-5

Deni Avdija clearly had the most complete statistical performance for Portland. His 34 points were accompanied by 11 assists, meaning he was directly involved in a large portion of Portland’s offensive production.

Donovan Clingan’s 15 rebounds were equally important because Portland needed second opportunities against a New Orleans team that actually attempted more field goals.

Shaedon Sharpe provided efficient scoring with 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting. Caleb Love added a major bench contribution by making six three-pointers.

New Orleans Player Leaders

Player Points Rebounds Assists FG 3PT FT
Zion Williamson 35 8 2 15-26 0-0 5-8
Jeremiah Fears 18 5 4 8-15 0-3 2-2
Jordan Poole 16 1 6 5-16 4-11 2-3
Karlo Matkovic 16 2 0 7-8 2-3 0-0
Bryce McGowens 13 4 0 4-9 2-2 3-4
Kevon Looney 4 12 2 2-4 0-1 0-0

Zion Williamson was New Orleans’ offensive leader. He scored 35 points on 15-of-26 shooting, giving him a field-goal percentage of 57.7 percent.

The problem for New Orleans was that Zion’s production was not matched by enough consistent offense around him. The Pelicans had four other players reach at least 13 points, but Portland received more efficient perimeter production and more offensive support from its bench.

Deni Avdija’s 34-Point, 11-Assist Performance

Deni Avdija was the defining player in the Portland box score.

He finished with:

  • 34 points
  • 7 rebounds
  • 11 assists
  • 10-of-19 field goals
  • 3-of-5 three-pointers
  • 11-of-14 free throws

That combination is important because Avdija did not simply score in isolation. His 11 assists show that he also functioned as a primary creator.

His shooting was efficient across multiple areas of the floor. He made 52.6 percent of his field-goal attempts and 60 percent of his three-point attempts. He also converted 78.6 percent of his free throws.

His 34 points were 11 more than Portland’s second-highest scorer, Shaedon Sharpe.

The assist total is particularly significant. When a player scores 34 points and also creates 11 assists, the defensive challenge becomes much harder. Defenses cannot focus solely on stopping the scorer because aggressive help can open opportunities for teammates.

That dynamic appears in Portland’s overall offensive profile. The Blazers recorded 27 assists while committing only nine turnovers.

Zion Williamson Scores 35 Points

Zion Williamson had the highest individual scoring total in the game.

His line:

  • 35 points
  • 8 rebounds
  • 2 assists
  • 15-of-26 shooting
  • 5-of-8 free throws

Williamson’s 15 made field goals were more than any other player in the game.

His efficiency inside the arc was a major reason New Orleans started quickly. The Pelicans scored 37 points in the first quarter and shot 59.1 percent from the field during that period, according to the official game recap.

However, the overall result demonstrates why one elite scoring performance does not necessarily determine a basketball game.

Portland created a broader offensive balance. Avdija combined scoring and playmaking, Sharpe added 23 points, Love hit six three-pointers, and Clingan generated extra possessions through offensive rebounding.

Donovan Clingan Controls the Rebounding Battle

Donovan Clingan finished with 15 rebounds, the highest total for either team.

His full scoring line was:

  • 11 points
  • 15 rebounds
  • 1 assist
  • 5-of-10 field goals
  • 0-of-3 three-pointers
  • 1-of-2 free throws

The raw rebound number is impressive, but the type of rebounds matters.

Clingan collected nine offensive rebounds according to the official NBA game recap. Those extra possessions helped Portland generate second-chance opportunities and were a major part of the difference between the teams.

Portland finished with 46 total rebounds compared with 42 for New Orleans.

That four-rebound difference may appear modest, but Portland’s offensive rebounding gave the team additional scoring opportunities after missed shots.

This is one of the most useful lessons when reading basketball box scores. Total rebounds provide one layer of information, but offensive rebounds can explain how a team repeatedly extends possessions.

Caleb Love Provides a Major Bench Boost

Caleb Love was one of the most important supporting players in the game.

He scored 22 points while shooting:

  • 7-of-13 from the field
  • 6-of-11 from three-point range
  • 2-of-2 from the free-throw line

His 54.5 percent three-point shooting was especially important.

Love made six three-pointers by himself. New Orleans made eight three-pointers as a team.

That means Love alone produced 75 percent of Portland’s total made threes from the numbers supplied for the game.

His contribution also gave Portland a scoring option away from its starting lineup. When the starting unit needs additional offensive support, a bench scorer capable of hitting multiple threes can change the shape of a game.

Shaedon Sharpe Adds 23 Points

Shaedon Sharpe scored 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting.

His three-point shooting was less efficient than Love’s, as he made 1-of-6 attempts from deep, but his overall field-goal production remained useful.

Sharpe also grabbed five rebounds.

His 23 points were important because Portland did not need to rely exclusively on Avdija. The combination of Avdija, Sharpe, and Love gave Portland three players with at least 22 points.

New Orleans had one player above 30 points, Zion Williamson, but its next highest scorer had only 18.

That difference in scoring distribution is one of the clearest themes in the game.

Portland’s Starting Lineup Breakdown

Toumani Camara

Camara finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.

He shot 4-of-11 from the field and made all four of his three-point attempts. His perfect three-point record was valuable because Portland received efficient perimeter production from a player who was not one of its top volume scorers.

Kris Murray

Murray scored six points with four rebounds and three assists.

His shooting was difficult, as he made only 1-of-7 field-goal attempts and missed all three of his three-point attempts.

However, he converted 4-of-5 free throws and contributed three assists and four rebounds.

This is an important reminder that a box score does not reduce a player’s contribution to field-goal percentage alone.

Deni Avdija

Avdija led Portland in points and assists while also contributing seven rebounds.

His 34-point, 11-assist performance was the most complete offensive line on the Portland side.

Donovan Clingan

Clingan provided interior work with 15 rebounds and five made field goals.

His offensive rebounding was particularly important because Portland created additional possessions even when its initial shots did not fall.

Shaedon Sharpe

Sharpe’s 23 points gave Portland another high-volume scorer.

He made half of his field-goal attempts and all four of his free throws.

Portland’s Bench Production

Portland’s bench scoring was led by Caleb Love with 22 points.

The other listed bench contributions were:

  • Robert Williams III: 4 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist
  • Yang Hansen: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists
  • Caleb Love: 22 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
  • Sidy Cissoko: 5 points, 0 rebounds, 3 assists
  • Rayan Rupert: 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist

Love was clearly the major scoring contributor, while Williams added six rebounds.

The overall bench scoring distribution illustrates why Love’s shooting mattered so much. Portland could withstand some limited scoring from other reserves because Love supplied a high-volume perimeter threat.

New Orleans Starting Lineup Breakdown

Zion Williamson

Williamson produced 35 points and eight rebounds.

His 15-of-26 shooting was one of the strongest individual shooting performances in the game by volume.

He was also the main reason New Orleans was able to build its early advantage.

Yves Missi

Missi finished with five points, three rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.

The two blocks added defensive value even though his scoring output was limited.

Jordan Poole

Poole recorded 16 points and six assists.

He shot 5-of-16 from the field and 4-of-11 from three-point range.

The six assists were important because Poole was one of New Orleans’ main creators.

However, his shooting efficiency was below Portland’s overall team shooting efficiency.

Bryce McGowens

McGowens scored 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting.

He also made both of his three-point attempts and three of four free throws.

His perfect three-point shooting provided useful perimeter efficiency, although the total volume was limited.

Jeremiah Fears

Fears had a productive game with 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists.

He shot 8-of-15 from the field and made both of his free throws.

His scoring was especially important because New Orleans needed another reliable offensive option alongside Williamson.

New Orleans Bench Breakdown

The Pelicans received several useful contributions from their bench.

Kevon Looney led the group in rebounding with 12 boards despite scoring only four points.

Karlo Matkovic was the bench scoring leader with 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting. He also made two of three three-point attempts.

Jose Alvarado added four assists and three rebounds without scoring.

Micah Peavy finished with two points, three rebounds, and two assists.

Jordan Hawkins did not score and recorded one rebound.

Matkovic’s 16 points on seven made field goals were especially efficient. His 87.5 percent shooting from the field was the highest among the listed players with meaningful attempts.

Team Shooting Comparison

The overall shooting numbers were surprisingly close in field-goal percentage.

Category Portland New Orleans
Field Goals 41-92 44-98
FG Percentage 44.6% 44.9%
Three-Pointers 16-47 8-30
3PT Percentage 34.0% 26.7%
Free Throws 24-30 13-18
FT Percentage 80.0% 72.2%

New Orleans actually made three more field goals than Portland.

That makes the final score particularly interesting.

Portland won the game despite making fewer total field goals because it produced 16 made three-pointers compared with eight for New Orleans.

That is a difference of eight made threes.

In scoring terms, those extra eight three-pointers represent 24 additional points from beyond the arc compared with an equivalent number of two-point baskets.

Portland also made 24 free throws compared with 13 for New Orleans.

So the shooting advantage came from three-point volume and free-throw production rather than superior overall field-goal percentage.

Why the Three-Point Difference Mattered

The three-point numbers are arguably the clearest statistical separator.

Portland:

  • 16 made threes
  • 47 attempts
  • 34.0 percent

New Orleans:

  • 8 made threes
  • 30 attempts
  • 26.7 percent

Portland attempted 17 more three-pointers.

It also made twice as many.

That combination created a significant scoring advantage even though both teams were around 45 percent from the field overall.

Caleb Love was central to this difference with six made threes. Deni Avdija added three, while Toumani Camara made all four of his attempts from deep.

Turnovers and Possession Efficiency

Portland committed nine turnovers.

New Orleans committed 15.

The six-turnover difference mattered because turnovers can end possessions without a shot attempt.

The official game data also shows Portland scored 23 points off New Orleans turnovers, compared with 15 points for the Pelicans from Portland turnovers.

That creates an eight-point difference in points generated from turnovers.

Portland therefore gained value from both ends of possession management:

  1. It committed fewer turnovers.
  2. It converted New Orleans turnovers into points.

This is one reason the final score cannot be explained simply by field-goal percentage.

Quarter-by-Quarter Analysis

First Quarter: New Orleans Starts Fast

New Orleans opened the game with 37 points.

Portland scored 29.

The Pelicans’ 59.1 percent shooting in the opening period helped establish the early lead.

Williamson was the main scoring force, while Fears and other contributors helped New Orleans maintain offensive pressure.

At this stage, the game looked favorable for the home team.

Second Quarter: Portland Changes the Game

The second quarter was the turning point.

Portland scored 34 points.

New Orleans scored only 18.

That is a 16-point difference in one quarter.

Portland entered halftime ahead 63-55.

Avdija was a major part of the turnaround, scoring 23 points in the first half according to the official recap.

The Pelicans’ offense cooled sharply during the second quarter, particularly from three-point range.

Third Quarter: Portland Protects the Lead

Portland scored 22 points in the third quarter.

New Orleans scored 20.

This was not an explosive offensive period for either side, but the Blazers did what they needed to do: they prevented the Pelicans from making a major comeback.

The game entered the fourth quarter with Portland holding the advantage.

Fourth Quarter: Portland Closes Strongly

Portland scored 37 points in the final quarter.

New Orleans scored 34.

The Pelicans were competitive offensively, but Portland’s high-scoring finish kept the comeback from developing.

A team that enters the fourth quarter with a lead does not always need to dominate the final period. It needs to avoid giving the opponent enough momentum to erase the deficit.

Portland did that while producing one of its highest-scoring quarters of the game.

The Rebounding Battle

Portland finished with 46 rebounds.

New Orleans finished with 42.

The four-rebound difference alone was not enormous, but the distribution mattered.

Clingan had 15 rebounds, including nine offensive rebounds.

Looney led New Orleans with 12 rebounds.

Portland therefore had strong contributions from its starting center, while New Orleans received significant rebounding help from its bench.

The offensive rebounding edge helped Portland create additional possessions.

The official NBA recap reported that Portland produced 24 second-chance points.

That is an important number because it connects the individual rebound totals directly to scoring opportunities.

Assists and Ball Movement

Portland recorded 27 assists.

New Orleans recorded 22.

Avdija led the Blazers with 11 assists.

Poole led the Pelicans with six.

The five-assist team difference is another indication of Portland’s offensive balance.

Portland had multiple scoring threats, but Avdija’s playmaking helped connect them.

A high assist total does not automatically mean an offense was perfect, but in this game it aligned with Portland’s ability to produce 122 points while committing only nine turnovers.

What the Box Score Says About Efficiency

The most interesting part of the game is that Portland did not win because it dominated every statistical category.

Instead, it won several high-impact categories.

Portland had:

  • More three-pointers made
  • Better three-point percentage
  • More free throws made
  • Better free-throw percentage
  • More rebounds
  • More assists
  • Fewer turnovers
  • More points off turnovers
  • More second-chance points

New Orleans had:

  • More total field goals made
  • A slightly higher overall field-goal percentage
  • A strong first quarter
  • A 35-point performance from Williamson
  • 44 total made field goals

This creates a useful lesson for anyone studying portland trail blazers vs new orleans pelicans match player stats: the team with the higher field-goal percentage does not necessarily score more points.

Basketball scoring is affected by shot value, free throws, possessions, offensive rebounds, and turnovers.

Previous Meetings in the Season Series

The supplied season-series data shows Portland had already beaten New Orleans once before this game and had also lost one earlier meeting.

The previous results were:

  • November 13: Portland 125, New Orleans 117
  • December 12: New Orleans 143, Portland 120
  • January 3: Portland 122, New Orleans 109

The January result therefore gave Portland a 2-1 advantage in the season series at that point.

The NBA’s matchup history later listed the April meeting as another New Orleans loss, with Portland winning 118-106 on April 2, 2026.

For readers studying the matchup over time, this is useful because the three January 3 numbers should not be treated as a standalone measure of the teams’ entire season.

Each game has its own lineup context, shooting profile, injuries, and possession distribution.

Injury Context Around the Game

The official Pelicans game preview listed several absences and injury concerns before the matchup.

New Orleans was without Herb Jones and Dejounte Murray, while other players were listed with varying availability statuses. Portland also had several players unavailable, including Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday, Damian Lillard, Matisse Thybulle, and Blake Wesley.

This context matters when interpreting individual player statistics.

A box score describes what happened on the court. It does not, by itself, explain every rotation decision or why certain players received larger roles.

That is why game analysis should separate confirmed statistics from broader conclusions about team strength.

Most Important Statistical Takeaways

Several numbers stand out from this matchup.

1. Avdija was Portland’s primary offensive engine

His 34 points and 11 assists gave Portland both scoring and playmaking.

2. Williamson was New Orleans’ top scorer

His 35 points came on 15-of-26 shooting, making him the game’s highest scorer.

3. Portland won the three-point battle

The Blazers made 16 threes compared with eight for New Orleans.

4. Clingan dominated offensive rebounding

His 15 total rebounds included nine offensive rebounds.

5. Portland protected possessions better

The Blazers committed nine turnovers compared with 15 by New Orleans.

6. Love changed the perimeter scoring balance

His six made three-pointers were a major factor in Portland’s offensive output.

7. New Orleans had a strong start but could not maintain it

The Pelicans scored 37 in the first quarter but only 18 in the second and 20 in the third.

8. Portland had broader scoring support

Three Portland players scored at least 22 points, while New Orleans had Williamson at 35 followed by Fears at 18.

A Practical Way to Read This Box Score

If you are comparing player performances, it is tempting to begin with points.

That is useful, but it is not enough.

A better process is to examine five layers.

Layer One: Scoring

Look at points, field goals, three-pointers, and free throws.

This identifies who produced the most direct offense.

Layer Two: Efficiency

Compare made shots with attempts.

A player who scores 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting has a different offensive impact from someone who scores 20 points on 7-of-22 shooting.

Layer Three: Playmaking

Look at assists and turnovers together.

Avdija’s 11 assists with Portland’s nine team turnovers provide a useful example of productive ball movement.

Layer Four: Possession Creation

Look at rebounds, especially offensive rebounds.

Clingan’s nine offensive rebounds are much more informative than simply saying he had 15 total rebounds.

Layer Five: Team Context

Finally, compare the player’s production with the team totals.

Williamson’s 35 points were excellent individually, but New Orleans still scored 109 points.

Avdija’s 34 points came within a Portland offense that also received 23 points from Sharpe and 22 from Love.

This broader context makes the box score much easier to understand.

Full Portland Player Stat Summary

The supplied player data for Portland can be summarized as follows:

Player PTS REB AST
Toumani Camara 14 6 4
Kris Murray 6 4 3
Deni Avdija 34 7 11
Donovan Clingan 11 15 1
Shaedon Sharpe 23 5 1
Robert Williams III 4 6 1
Yang Hansen 0 0 0
Caleb Love 22 2 2
Sidy Cissoko 5 0 3
Rayan Rupert 3 1 1

The key pattern is balance around Avdija.

Portland had a clear lead creator, but several teammates contributed enough scoring to prevent the Pelicans from concentrating their defense on one player.

Full New Orleans Player Stat Summary

The New Orleans numbers were:

Player PTS REB AST
Zion Williamson 35 8 2
Yves Missi 5 3 2
Jordan Poole 16 1 6
Bryce McGowens 13 4 0
Jeremiah Fears 18 5 4
Kevon Looney 4 12 2
Karlo Matkovic 16 2 0
Jose Alvarado 0 3 4
Micah Peavy 2 3 2
Jordan Hawkins 0 1 0

The Pelicans received useful scoring from Williamson, Fears, Poole, Matkovic, and McGowens.

However, the distribution was not enough to match Portland’s combination of perimeter shooting and second-chance opportunities.

What Makes These Player Stats Useful?

The value of portland trail blazers vs new orleans pelicans match player stats is not limited to identifying the top scorer.

The data can be useful for several purposes.

Fantasy Basketball Research

Points, rebounds, assists, shooting efficiency, and three-point production can help readers evaluate individual fantasy performances.

Postgame Analysis

Coaches, analysts, writers, and fans can use the box score to understand where the game shifted.

Player Development

Young players can be evaluated by looking beyond points.

Fears’ 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists provide a more complete picture than his scoring total alone.

Matchup Analysis

The game shows how an offense can succeed despite a similar field-goal percentage by winning the three-point and free-throw categories.

Historical Research

The statistics also provide a record of the matchup and can be compared with the teams’ other meetings.

Common Mistakes When Reading NBA Match Stats

There are several easy mistakes to avoid.

Mistake 1: Looking Only at the Highest Scorer

Williamson scored 35 points, but Portland won by 13.

A top scorer does not automatically represent the winning side.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Shot Attempts

A player scoring 16 points on 5-of-16 shooting should be interpreted differently from a player scoring 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Three-Point Volume

Portland’s 16 made threes were one of the defining numbers of the game.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Turnovers

Six fewer turnovers for Portland created additional opportunities and helped the Blazers score 23 points off Pelicans turnovers.

Mistake 5: Ignoring Offensive Rebounds

Clingan’s nine offensive rebounds created possessions that do not appear in a simple points comparison.

Mistake 6: Treating One Game as a Season Summary

A single matchup provides evidence about that game.

It should not automatically be used as proof of a team’s entire-season identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who scored the most points in the Portland vs Pelicans game?

Zion Williamson scored 35 points for New Orleans, while Deni Avdija led Portland with 34 points.

Who led Portland in assists?

Deni Avdija led Portland with 11 assists.

Who had the most rebounds?

Donovan Clingan led all Portland players with 15 rebounds. New Orleans’ Kevon Looney led the Pelicans with 12 rebounds.

What was the final score?

Portland defeated New Orleans 122-109 at Smoothie King Center.

Which team made more three-pointers?

Portland made 16 three-pointers, while New Orleans made eight.

How many turnovers did each team have?

Portland committed nine turnovers, while New Orleans committed 15.

Conclusion

The portland trail blazers vs new orleans pelicans match player stats show that the January 3, 2026 matchup was decided by much more than the individual scoring duel between Deni Avdija and Zion Williamson.

Williamson produced 35 points and 8 rebounds, giving New Orleans an elite scoring performance. Avdija answered with 34 points and 11 assists, while Portland received major contributions from Shaedon Sharpe, Caleb Love, Toumani Camara, and Donovan Clingan.

The team-level numbers explain the final result more clearly.

Portland made 16 three-pointers compared with eight for New Orleans. The Blazers made 24 free throws compared with 13. They also committed six fewer turnovers, collected four more total rebounds, recorded five more assists, and generated 24 second-chance points.

The quarter-by-quarter breakdown is equally revealing. New Orleans opened with 37 points, but Portland responded with 34 in the second quarter while holding the Pelicans to 18. The Blazers then protected their advantage and finished with 37 points in the fourth.

The most useful lesson from this box score is that basketball performance is multidimensional. Points identify scoring output, but rebounds reveal possession control, assists show creation, turnovers reveal possession management, and shooting splits explain how efficiently scoring opportunities were converted.

For anyone researching portland trail blazers vs new orleans pelicans match player stats, the strongest interpretation comes from combining all of those numbers rather than focusing on a single headline statistic.

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