Williamson scores 35 points to lead Pelicans over Suns

Zion Williamson watched his second 3-pointer go down, turned toward the Pelicans’ defensive end and threw a triumphant punch into the air.

Adding perimeter scoring to his already formidable play in the paint, Williamson scored 35-points for a second straight game, and host New Orleans beat the short-handed Phoenix Suns 129-124 in overtime Sunday for their seventh straight victory.

New Orleans (18-8) leads the Western Conference, Phoenix (16-11) is fourth.

CJ McCollum added 29 for the Pelicans, who beat the Suns — playing without star guard Devin Booker because of left hamstring tightness — for the second time in three days and won for the 12th time in their last 14 games.

Deandre Ayton had 28 points and 12 rebounds for Phoenix.

76ERS 131, HORNETS 113 >> Joel Embiid had 53 points and 11 rebounds, leading host Philadelphia. Embiid posted the fourth 50-plus point game of his career. It is also the 30th game in Embiid’s career with 40 points and 10 rebounds. The only other player in franchise history to accomplish that feat was Wilt Chamberlain. Charlotte was led by Kelly Oubre Jr. and Terry Rozier, who each scored 29 points.

KNICKS 112, KINGS 99 >> Julius Randle and RJ Barrett each scored 27 points and host New York beat Sacramento to run its winning streak to a season-high four games. Randle had all 27 points by halftime, then was ejected with 3:35 left in the third quarter after arguing a non-call. Domantas Sabonis led the Kings with 20 points.

HAWKS 123, BULLS 122 (OT) >> A.J. Griffin hit a 6-footer on an alley-oop pass at the overtime buzzer and host Atlanta snapped a threegame losing streak. DeMar DeRozan, who led Chicago with 34 points, sank three free throws with 0.5 seconds remaining in overtime as it appeared the Bulls had the game won. Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 28 points for Atlanta.

ROCKETS 97, BUCKS 92 >> Jalen Green had 30 points and seven rebounds for host Houston. Jrue Holiday had 25 points for the Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo had 16 points and 18 rebounds. Antetokounmpo scored his 15,000th point in the second quarter.

MAGIC 111, RAPTORS 99 >> Franz Wagner scored 23 points and Paolo Banchero added 20 points and 12 rebounds for host Orlando. Gary Trent Jr. led Toronto with 24 points.