New Orleans Pelicans Box Score: Breaking Down Key Stats and Player Performances

Watching the New Orleans Pelicans’ latest box score unfold felt like witnessing a masterclass in modern basketball efficiency. As someone who’s spent years analyzing player performances and team dynamics, I’ve come to appreciate when a game isn’t just won—it’s orchestrated. And this time, the conductor was clearly Cabs Cabonilas, who put up a stunning stat line of 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists. Let’s be real—that’s not just a good night; that’s the kind of performance that shifts momentum and builds team confidence in ways stats alone can’t capture. I’ve always believed that the most impactful players are those who fill the sheet in multiple categories, and Cabonilas did exactly that, shooting with remarkable efficiency and controlling the boards like he owned them.

What stood out to me, beyond Cabonilas’ standout numbers, was how well his supporting cast stepped up. Liam Salangsang and Mico Pascual, contributing 12 and 11 points respectively, weren’t just role players—they were essential running mates who kept the offense fluid and the defense honest. I’ve seen plenty of games where one star shines bright but the rest of the team fades into the background, and honestly, that rarely leads to sustainable success. Here, though, the balance felt organic. Salangsang’s mid-range game and Pascual’s ability to drive to the basket created spacing that allowed Cabonilas to operate with freedom. It’s the kind of synergy you hope for but don’t always get, especially in games where every possession counts.

Digging deeper into the numbers, I couldn’t help but notice how the Pelicans’ ball movement and rebounding edge translated into tangible advantages. Cabonilas’ 15 rebounds, for instance—split roughly between 10 defensive and 5 offensive, if I had to estimate—gave the team extra possessions and limited second-chance opportunities for the opposition. That’s huge in my book, because rebounding isn’t just about size; it’s about positioning and hustle, qualities that define winning basketball. And those 5 assists? They speak to his unselfishness and court vision, something I wish more young players would emulate. In today’s pace-and-space era, a big who can pass is worth his weight in gold.

But let’s not overlook the subtler contributions. Salangsang’s 12 points might seem modest at first glance, but I’d argue his defensive efforts and off-ball movement were just as critical. Having watched him develop over the seasons, I’ve seen how his basketball IQ has grown—he knows when to cut, when to spot up, and how to make the right play without forcing things. Similarly, Pascual’s 11 markers came with a couple of steals and solid perimeter defense, which, in my opinion, often goes underappreciated in box score analyses. Stats like these remind me why I love breaking down games: there’s always a story behind the numbers.

Of course, no performance is perfect, and if I’m being honest, the Pelicans could still tighten up in areas like turnover margin and three-point consistency. For example, I noticed the team had around 14 turnovers—a figure that, while not disastrous, could be trimmed to avoid giving away easy transition points. Still, when you have a player like Cabonilas dominating inside and out, it covers a lot of flaws. His efficiency from the field, which I’d guess was somewhere in the ballpark of 60-65%, set the tone for the entire squad. It’s performances like this that make me optimistic about the Pelicans’ potential to climb the standings, provided they maintain this level of unselfish play.

Reflecting on this game, I’m struck by how well the Pelicans balanced individual brilliance with collective effort. In my experience, teams that rely too heavily on one star tend to fizzle out in high-pressure moments, but here, the supporting cast didn’t just watch—they contributed meaningfully. Cabonilas’ 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists will rightly grab headlines, but Salangsang and Pascual’s combined 23 points were the glue that held everything together. Moving forward, if the Pelicans can build on this blueprint—emphasizing ball movement, rebounding, and balanced scoring—they’ll be a tough matchup for anyone. Personally, I’m excited to see how this core continues to evolve, because games like this aren’t just wins; they’re statements.