Anfernee Simons led the Portland Trail Blazers with 24 points, while Deandre Ayton contributed 19 points and 13 rebounds in a decisive 118-100 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Despite trailing for much of the game, Portland surged in the fourth quarter, thanks in part to Dalano Banton's impressive 20 points in that period. The Pelicans, missing several key players including Zion Williamson, struggled to keep pace, with Brandon Ingram scoring 27 points as the lone starter.