New Orleans Pelicans Throw Away 23-Point Lead In Ugly Overtime Loss To Denver

For the first three quarters, it looked like the New Orleans Pelicans were about to grab their first win of the season. A fourth-quarter meltdown, in which this team threw away a 23-point lead, let the Denver Nuggets force overtime and eventually win 141-135.

The Pelicans fall to 0-3 on another game where they had a chance to win or tie with the final shot of the game. It was the third straight awful possession to end regulation, as they didn't even get a shot off this time.

It was about to be a fun night where the fans and team got to celebrate finally getting over the hump and grabbing a win. Now, no one can be happy. Especially not Jamahl Mosley, who is sure to have plenty of words for his team about the execution down the stretch.

It was another frustrating night for sophomore guard Jeremiah Fears, who had a very ugly fourth quarter and ended up getting taken out of the game for Saddiq Bey once again. Fears ripped off his arm sleeve before even getting to the bench, clearly upset with how things transpired. It was a change that needed to happen, and perhaps it happened too late.

Denver had so much momentum down the stretch, and almost nothing was going New Orleans' way. There were at least five minutes in the fourth where the Pelicans didn't get a single bucket. Constant turnovers allowed them back in it.

This team has no idea how to close games. Turnovers go up, ball movement goes down and shots don't go in. It was the complete reverse of everything that was going well over the first three quarters of this matchup.

This was also another closing stretch of a game where Trey Murphy was nowhere to be seen. He was incredible over the first three quarters with an aggressive 13 shots. He had just three shots. It's not all on Murphy or anything; this is just a microcosm of everything that went wrong.

One very telling stat, though, is that Murphy was a team-worst -17. Dejounte Murray was right behind at -16. There is a disconnect between the two down the stretch that has been clear to see in all three games. Those are supposed to be two reliable options in the clutch, or at least two of the better options, but both have underperformed late.

This team isn't horrible. Early on, they looked to be finding their rhythm on both ends of the court. They were rebounding well, passing the ball, hitting threes. 

Similar to the first game where Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam picked them apart late, this time it was Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, who finished with 42 and 35 points, respectively. Trevon Brazile also showed out with 17 points and nine rebounds. Those three won this game for the Nuggets.

Mosley will have to get his team refocused. As mad as everyone who watched the game ended up, the team is feeling it even worse. They were upset by the way the first two ended, and this one was far more egregious.

The difference just ended up being one team with two stars who have been there before, know what to do, and how to execute down the stretch against a team that simply looked clueless.

Everyone is hungry for a win. Now, to avoid an 0-4 start, New Orleans will have a few days to regroup before Denver comes to town on Wednesday night.