Watching the New Orleans Pelicans box score unfold last night felt like witnessing a masterclass in team basketball, and I have to say, Cabs Cabonilas absolutely stole the show for me. I’ve been tracking his progress for a while now, and seeing him flourish with an incredibly efficient 24 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists was just thrilling. It’s not just the numbers—though they are undeniably impressive—it’s the way he controlled the tempo, made smart decisions under pressure, and elevated everyone around him. When a player puts up a stat line like that, you know you’re watching someone special, and I genuinely believe he’s on the verge of becoming one of the league’s most versatile forwards. His performance wasn’t just a flash in the pan; it was a statement.
Of course, basketball is a team sport, and Cabonilas didn’t do it alone. Liam Salangsang and Mico Pascual served as his primary running mates, and their contributions were just as vital to securing the win. Salangsang chipped in with 12 markers, showing his usual reliability from mid-range, while Pascual added 11 points, including a couple of clutch three-pointers that really shifted the momentum in the Pelicans' favor. I’ve always appreciated how these two complement the star players—they don’t demand the spotlight, but they consistently deliver when it counts. Their ability to space the floor and make smart cuts opened up driving lanes for Cabonilas, and that synergy is something you can’t teach. It’s the kind of chemistry that separates good teams from great ones.
Digging deeper into the New Orleans Pelicans box score, what stood out to me was the overall balance. The team tallied around 28 assists on 42 made field goals, which is a testament to their unselfish ball movement. They also grabbed 52 total rebounds, with Cabonilas leading the charge on the glass. Defensively, they held their opponents to just 42 percent shooting from the field—a stat I find particularly telling because it shows their commitment on that end of the floor. From my perspective, that’s where games are won. Sure, scoring 24 points like Cabonilas did is fantastic, but when you pair it with 15 boards and active defense, you’re impacting the game in multiple ways. It reminds me of some of the all-time greats who did the little things that don’t always show up in the highlight reels.
I have to admit, I’m a bit biased toward teams that prioritize ball movement and defensive intensity. Watching the Pelicans execute their sets with such precision—especially in the third quarter when they went on a 16-4 run—was a thing of beauty. Salangsang’s decision-making in pick-and-roll situations was nearly flawless, and Pascual’s off-ball movement created so many easy baskets. It’s these nuances that make analyzing a box score so rewarding. You start to see patterns: which lineups work best, who thrives in clutch moments, and how individual performances like Cabonilas’s 24 and 15 ripple through the entire team. Frankly, I think if they maintain this level of play, they’ll be a tough out in the playoffs.
But let’s not overlook the intangibles. As someone who’s played and coached at various levels, I know that stats only tell part of the story. What the New Orleans Pelicans box score from last night doesn’t show is the leadership Cabonilas displayed in the huddle during timeouts, or the way Salangsang and Pascual communicated on switches to disrupt the opponent’s offense. Those moments might not fill up the stat sheet, but they’re crucial for building a winning culture. I remember one possession where Cabonilas grabbed an offensive board over two defenders and kicked it out for an open three—it didn’t lead to an assist, but it extended the play and eventually resulted in a score. That’s the kind of effort that wins over fans and analysts alike.
In conclusion, breaking down this New Orleans Pelicans box score has been a real pleasure. Cabonilas’s 24 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists were the headline, but the supporting cast—Salangsang with his 12 points and Pascual with 11—proved just how deep this team is. The numbers paint a picture of efficiency and teamwork, with roughly 58 percent shooting from two-point range and only 10 turnovers as a unit. From where I stand, this performance is a blueprint for how modern basketball should be played: unselfish, disciplined, and star-driven when it matters most. I’m excited to see how they build on this, and if they keep this up, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make some noise deep into the season. After all, games are won on the court, but it’s performances like these that you remember long after the final buzzer.