The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 122-114, at Smoothie King Center on Saturday night.

The Clippers (41-38) got an impressive early jump on a hot Pelicans (40-38) team, establishing a 31-21 lead through the first 12 minutes. New Orleans had erased all but one point from its deficit by halftime, however, and then went into the final period with a one-point edge. Los Angeles would threaten on several occasions throughout the final period but never regained the advantage.

Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 40 points, adding eight rebounds, four assists and one block. Russell Westbrook furnished 24 points, nine assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block. Ivica Zubac supplied 15 points, six boards and one block. Norman Powell registered 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Brandon Ingram paced the Pelicans with 36 points, complementing them with eight assists and four rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas generated a 23-point, 12-rebound double-double that included one block. Trey Murphy and CJ McCollum recorded matching 19-point, two-steal tallies while logging four rebounds and three assists, respectively. Herbert Jones registered 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.

The Clippers return home to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night, while the Pelicans remain home and host the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.