Zion Williamson scores 23 as the Pelicans beat the Kings 133-123

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Zion Williamson had 23 points on 10-for-14 shooting, Trey Murphy III added 21 points and the New Orelans Pelicans beat the NBA-worst Sacramento Kings 133-123 on Thursday night.

Saddiq Bey shot 6 for 11 (3 for 5 from 3-point range) and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line for 20 points for the Pelicans, who had lost two in a row after a four-game win streak.

Williamson added nine rebounds and five assists.

Precious Achiuwa had 29 points and 12 rebounds and Russell Westbrook had 19 points and 10 assists for the Kings, who fell to 14-50 overall and lost their ninth in a row at home. They have lost three in a row and are 2-4 following a franchise-worst 16-game losing streak.

The Pelicans entered halftime up 67-61. The Pelicans took a 14-point lead in the third quarter thanks to a 15-0 scoring run.

The Pelicans made 12 3-pointers compared to the Kings eight.

All-Star point guard Dejounte Murray (return to competition reconditioning) did not play for the first game of a back-to-back (New Orleans plays at Phoenix on Friday).

Kings forward Keegan Murray missed his fourth straight game because of ankle injury.

DeMar DeRozan kad 15 points to move into 19th place on the NBA’s career scoring leaders list.

Pelicans: Visit the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.

Kings: Host the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (18) reacts after making a three point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (25) hangs on the rim after dunking the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens (11) prepares to dunk the ball over Sacramento Kings forward Precious Achiuwa (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans guard Saddiq Bey (41) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) attempts to dribble past Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford (5) before being called for an offensive foul during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Jet Greaves made 26 saves, Mathieu Olivier scored twice and the Columbus Blue Jackets dealt another blow to Florida's playoff hopes with a 4-2 victory over the Panthers on Thursday night.

Two-time defending champion Florida is in danger of becoming the first Cup-winning team to miss the playoffs the following season since Los Angeles in 2014-15. Ten points behind Boston for the final wild-card spot in the East, the Panthers have lost the first four games of a trip that ends Friday night in Detroit.

Defenseman Ivan Provorov had a goal and two assists and Boone Jenner also scored to help Columbus win its third straight and move within a point of Boston. The Blue Jackets were coming off a back-to-back sweep, beating the Rangers 5-4 in overtime in New York on Monday night and Nashville on Tuesday night to open a four-game homestand.

Hours after the game, the Blue Jackets started NHL trade deadline day by acquiring winger Conor Garland from Vancouver. Just after midnight Friday, they sent a third-round pick in the draft this year and a 2028 second-rounder to the Canucks for the soon-to-be 30-year-old.

Defenseman Niko Mikkola and Sam Bennett scored for Florida in a 5:36 span of the third period.

Gustav Forsling appeared to tie it with 2:55 to go, but Columbus successfully challenged for goaltender interference. Olivier then put it away with an empty-netter with 1:42 left.

Provorov scored on a power play at 5:08 of the first, firing in a wrist shot from the blue line. Olivier struck on a tip with 9:10 left in the second, and Jenner beat goalie Daniil Tarasov from close range at 1:41 of the third. Jenner returned after missing a game because of a lower-body injury.

Mikkola scored on a tip at 9:08 of the third, and Bennett pulled the Panthers within one on a power play with 5:16 left.

Tarasov stopped 23 shots.

Before the game, the Panthers sent 38-year-old defenseman Jeff Petry to Minnesota for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2026.

Panthers: At Detroit on Friday night.

Blue Jackets: Host Utah on Saturday night.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhla

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) celebrates after scoring in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)