Zion Williamson exits after rolling ankle as Pelicans hold off Jazz, 115-105

zion williamson rolled his right ankle and left the game in the second quarter, but the New Orleans Pelicans still beat the Utah Jazz 115-105 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, extending a run of success against Utah.

Zion Williamson exits in second quarter

zion williamson left the court in the second quarter after rolling his right ankle. The game finished 115-105 in favor of the Pelicans, who improved to 19-42 while the Jazz fell to 18-42. It was the Pelicans’ fourth straight victory and their second win in three nights against Utah; it also marked New Orleans’ seventh consecutive victory over the Jazz.

Pelicans build 27-point lead at halftime

New Orleans built a 27-point advantage and led 65-40 at the break. Utah missed its first 10 shots and did not register a field goal until the 7: 19 mark of the first quarter, then went the final 3: 26 of the second quarter without scoring.

Jeremiah Fears' bench breakout

Jeremiah Fears came off the bench and posted his second double-double, finishing with 18 points, a career-high 11 rebounds and five assists. Interim head coach James Borrego praised Fears’ all-around game: “His poise, his playmaking settled us. His pace. You felt him early. Especially when he rebounds like that, we’re gone. To rebound like that at his size and position just fuels our offense. And he continues to grow defensively, making havoc plays out there. I see a focused young man. I thought he was fantastic tonight. ”

Scoring leaders and late Utah push

Saddiq Bey led New Orleans with 24 points. Herb Jones added 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Utah cut the margin to 89-82 early in the fourth quarter, forcing the Pelicans to answer. Bryce McGowens hit a 3-pointer to halt the Jazz surge, followed by a Fears floater and another McGowens three that pushed the lead back out. Borrego called McGowens’ play “a huge bucket. Maybe the biggest bucket of the game. ”

Images and roster notes from Salt Lake City

Photographs from the game captured Jeremiah Fears driving against Utah guard John Konchar during the first half and Pelicans forward Karlo Matkovic going to the basket, with images credited to Rob Gray. The Pelicans rested Dejounte Murray on Saturday night, and Trey Murphy remained out while still recovering from a shoulder contusion.

It is unclear in the provided context what New Orleans’ next scheduled game is.