Portland Trailblazers Defeat New Orleans Pelicans 118-106

Damian Lillard's 35 points lead Portland to victory over Zion Williamson and the Pelicans.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:10am

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An abstract painting in vibrant neon colors, with loose, expressive brushstrokes capturing the energy and intensity of a basketball game, without any clearly defined figures or details.The Trailblazers' high-octane offense proved too much for the Pelicans to handle in this thrilling early-season clash.New Orleans Today

The Portland Trailblazers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 118-106 in a high-scoring NBA matchup. Trailblazers star Damian Lillard led all scorers with 35 points, while Pelicans forward Zion Williamson had 28 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort.

Why it matters

This game was an important early-season clash between two teams expected to contend for playoff spots in the Western Conference. The Trailblazers' win over the Pelicans demonstrates their ability to win on the road against a talented opponent.

The details

The Trailblazers jumped out to an early lead and maintained control throughout the game, leading by as many as 15 points. In addition to Lillard's scoring outburst, Portland got double-digit contributions from Anfernee Simons (18 points) and Jusuf Nurkić (14 points, 13 rebounds). The Pelicans kept the game close thanks to strong performances from Williamson and CJ McCollum (22 points), but ultimately could not overcome Portland's balanced attack.

  • The game was played on April 2, 2026.

The players

Damian Lillard

All-Star point guard for the Portland Trailblazers who led his team to victory with 35 points.

Zion Williamson

Superstar forward for the New Orleans Pelicans who had 28 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game against a really good team, but our guys stepped up and made the plays we needed to get the win.”

— Chauncey Billups, Head Coach, Portland Trailblazers

“We just couldn't get enough stops down the stretch. Lillard was hitting some tough shots, and we couldn't match their scoring output.”

— Willie Green, Head Coach, New Orleans Pelicans

What’s next

The Trailblazers will look to build on this road win when they take on the defending champion Golden State Warriors on April 5th. The Pelicans will try to bounce back in their next game against the Los Angeles Clippers on April 7th.

The takeaway

This game showcased the high-powered offenses of two Western Conference contenders. While the Trailblazers were able to get the better of the Pelicans this time, these two teams could very well meet again in the playoffs, setting up an exciting postseason matchup.