Naji Marshall appeared to have scored a game-winning basket, but then he didn’t. But then Trey Murphy did.
In a unique ending to Sunday’s game, New Orleans trailed by a point in the waning seconds of overtime when Marshall drove for a layup that was blocked but initially ruled a Golden State goaltending violation. However, that call was overturned upon replay review, but referees ruled that Murphy had put the rebound of Marshall's missed shot in the hoop simultaneous with the goaltend whistle that stopped play. As a result, Murphy was credited with one of the more unusual game-winning buckets you’ll ever see in the sport of basketball, with 1.7 seconds remaining.
New Orleans pulled out a dramatic victory, but was denied in its bid to reach the NBA Summer League championship game for the first time since tournament play began in 2013. The Pelicans needed to win by 11 points or more to surpass fellow unbeaten Sacramento in the standings, but instead prevailed by a single point.
The Pelicans will try to finish undefeated in Nevada for the first time Tuesday, when they face Minnesota at 6:30 p.m. Central.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Golden State’s Kyle Guy took a deep three-pointer at the overtime buzzer that just got a piece of the left side of the rim. Guy’s long-distance bomb appeared to be a hair too late anyway, after the Warriors inbounded down by one with under two seconds to go.
Late in regulation with the game tied, Murphy came up with a momentous defensive stop, blocking fellow first-round pick Jonathan Kuminga’s post-up shot attempt with 31 ticks left.
PELICANS PLAYER UPDATES
Pelicans first-year head coach Willie Green was again effusive in his praise of Pelicans draft acquisitions Murphy (22 points, six rebounds, two blocks, 4/7 three-point shooting) and second-round pick Herb Jones (10 points, two blocks), saying, “Trey and Herb both have been just over and beyond. Great guys. Excellent basketball players. Intelligent, they know the game and they just work hard. So we’re very pleased and happy with their production. The sky’s the limit. We’re looking forward to what those two will bring to our team next season.” …
Murphy got animated when he was asked to discuss Jones, who has been a defensive factor and able to get the basket for layups and dunks at the other end of the court. “Straitjacket,” Murphy said of Jones. “I literally call him a straitjacket. On defense, whoever he’s guarding, just don’t even worry about them. When he’s cutting to the basket, he’s a lethal threat. He can dunk over people, finish and find open people (for shots). I just love having Herb as a teammate, and I’m excited for the years to come.” …
Naji Marshall produced another double-double, this time with 14 points and 12 rebounds. He and Kira Lewis Jr. both struggled shooting-wise, combining to go 6/28, but contributed in other ways. Lewis notched eight assists and three steals.