Ingram, Williamson each score 32, Pelicans top Beal, Wizards

Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram each scored a season-high 32 points and New Orleans Pelicans beat depleted Washington Wizards 124-106 on Wednesday night.

Brley Beal almost single-handedly kept reeling Wizards in striking distance with 47 points. Washington got as close as eight points in middle of fourth quarter before Pelicans pulled away in final five minutes, highlighted by Williamson's soaring dunk of Ingram's lob from behind 3-point line.

Ingram finished with a season-high seven 3-pointers on 12 attempts, making all five he attempted in second half. Williamson did most of his scoring in paint and ded eight free throws to help New Orleans win for just second time in 10 games.

Eric Bledsoe scored 18 points and Steven ams grabbed a season-high 18 rebounds for New Orleans, which never trailed.

Garrison Maws scored 15 points and Robin Lopez h 14 for Washington, which played without guard Russell Westbrook and lost for sixth time in seven games.

New Orleans led by as many as 26 when Ingram's 15-foot pull-up me it 74-48, but Beal willed Washington back into game during next nine minutes.

Beal's 24 points in third quarter — during which he me four of five 3-point shots — helped Wizards cut it to 94-80 by end of period.

Williamson scored 11 in first quarter, highlighted by his left-handed runner over three converging defenders while being fouled, and New Orleans took a 35-18 le into second period.

Ingram missed four of his first five from deep but got a break when he heaved a deep 3 while being fouled by Beal and ball hit backboard, circled rim and dropped in. four-point play put Pelicans up 64-41 late in second quarter.

Williamson h 20 points by halftime, at which point New Orleans led 64-45.

TIP-INS

Wizards: Westbrook, Wizards' second-leing scorer, was scratched for rest after playing a night earlier in Houston. However, Wizards coach Scott Brooks did t rule out playing Westbrook on back-to-back nights later this season. ... Washington also was missing six players because of health and safety protocols. ... Brooks elected to give 6-foot-8, 216-pound Jordan Bell his first start of season in an effort to match up better with size of New Orleans' frontcourt. Bell h 11 rebounds and four points. ... Washington missed its first eight shots but trailed just 4-2 when Lopez hit a short hook.

Pelicans: ams has w h at least 16 rebounds in a game twice this season, or coming at Utah last week, when he h 16. ... Guard Lonzo Ball did t return to game after checking out late in second quarter. club said he h a sprained ankle. ... Reserve guard Josh Hart h eight rebounds, his ninth time this season with at least that many. ... New Orleans missed nine of 24 free throws.

HARD FOUL

Wizards' Alex Len was called for a flagrant foul early in fourth quarter when he grabbed Williamson by shoulder with his left hand and right bicep with his right hand and pulled Pelicans star to floor as he tried to drive toward hoop. Williamson was briefly in a prone position before getting up with a smile.

Len wound up fouling out with 5:38 left.

UP NEXT

Wizards: Host Atlanta on Friday to open a two-game homestand.

Pelicans: Host Milwaukee on Friday in second of five straight home games.

(Im credit: AP)