The Highest Points Scored Against the New Orleans Pelicans in NBA History

The New Orleans Pelicans franchise entered the NBA in 2002. Originally the New Orleans Hornets, the team briefly became the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets after Hurricane Katrina. The Charlotte franchise then returned to North Carolina as the Bobcats, while the Hornets brand moved back to New Orleans for another six seasons. New Orleans welcomed a new franchise as the Pelicans in 2013. Regardless of which mascot name they use, opposing scorers have lit up the Big Easy over the last two dozen seasons. Here are the five highest-scoring performances against the Pelicans franchise.

1. Devin Booker - 58 Points 

Devin Booker was on fire in Phoenix on December 17, 2022, dropping 58 points on 21-of-35 shooting in a 118-114 Suns victory. He knocked down 6-of-12 from deep and added 10-of-15 from the free throw line. In 42 minutes, Booker also contributed 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Trailing 63-46 at the half, the Suns needed all of Booker’s 36 second-half points to pull off the comeback. This marked the highest-scoring performance against the Pelicans in franchise history, as the Suns guard showcased his ability to get buckets from all three levels. 

2. Damon Stoudamire - 54 Points 

In his final season with the Trail Blazers, Damon Stoudamire had a night in New Orleans on January 14, 2005, but his career-high wasn't enough as the Hornets defeated Portland 112-106. Stoudamire shot an efficient 20-of-32 from the field and hit 8-of-16 from three-point range. He also went 6-for-6 from the stripe, playing 43 minutes without recording a single rebound, but dished out 1 assist and 1 steal. At 5'10", Stoudamire and 6’1” Nick Van Exel combined for 77 points, proving that size doesn't matter when you're in the zone, torching the Hornets with their outside shooting and crafty scoring ability.

3. Stephen Curry - 53 Points

Stephen Curry cooked up a 53-point evening on October 31, 2015, leading the Warriors to a 134-120 road victory in New Orleans. Curry was sensational, shooting 17-of-27 from the field, 8-of-14 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 11-of-11 from the free throw line. In just 36 minutes, he added 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 steals. This performance, which included a 28-point third quarter, came during Golden State's historic 73-win season and demonstrated Curry's ability to take over games with his range and creative scoring.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo - 50 Points

It didn’t take Giannis Antetokounmpo long to hit the 50-point mark against the Pelicans in a 135-110 Bucks blowout on January 29, 2023. The Greek Freak needed just 30 minutes to drop 50 points as he was virtually unstoppable, shooting 20-of-26 from the field and hitting 3-of-4 from three-point range. He added 7-of-12 from the free throw line and dominated the glass with 13 rebounds to go along with 4 assists. Whether the Pelicans tried to guard him with size or speed or a double team, Antetokounmpo had his way with the defense in the most efficient scoring night of his award-winning career. 

5. Damian Lillard - 50 Points 

Damian Lillard joined Stoudamire as a second member of the Portland Trail Blazers to light up the Pelicans. On March 16, 2021, Lillard poured in 50 points on 13-of-20 shooting to lead the Trail Blazers to a 125-124 home victory. He connected on 6-of-13 from downtown and was flawless from the charity stripe, going 18-for-18. In 41 minutes, Lillard also grabbed 6 rebounds and dished out 10 assists for a 50-point double-double. Dame Time’s 20-point fourth quarter helped the Blazers outscore the Pelicans 43-29 to pull off the one-point victory.