CJ McCollum scores 28 points as Pelicans hold off Warriors 114

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — CJ McCollum hit a 3-pointer with 1:03 remaining to help seal it and scored 28 points, Zion Williamson had 26 and the New Orleans Pelicans boosted their playoff positioning by beating the Golden State Warriors 114-109 on Friday night.

New Orleans was waiting for the Suns-Kings result in Sacramento to know whether it would secure the Western Conference’s sixth seed with a Phoenix loss.

Trey Murphy III converted a pair of free throws with 9 seconds left and finished with 24 points and eight rebounds for New Orleans.

Stephen Curry scored 33 points and hit a 3 with 56 seconds left but missed from the top of the arc with 13 seconds to play, and the Warriors’ loss likely lands them in the 9-10 seeds matchup of the Play-In Tournament on Wednesday.

Klay Thompson added 19 points and six rebounds, Andrew Wiggins scored 18 points and Draymond Green contributed 12 rebounds and 11 assists in just the second loss over the past 11 games for 2022 NBA champion Golden State.