Jahlil Okafor leads Pelicans to overtime road win over Pistons

Former Duke Basketball star and National Champion, Jahlil Okafor, led the New Orleans Pelicans to an overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons.

As the city of New Orleans was in the midst of celebration in the LSU National Championship on Monday night, the professional team that plays just across the street from the Mercedes Benz Superdome was in an overtime battle in Detroit.

The New Orleans Pelicans took down the Detroit Pistons 117-110 in overtime behind the play-making abilities of big man Jahlil Okafor.

More from Ball Durham

Okafor was in the starting lineup for the Pelicans and scored a team-high 25 points and 14 rebounds in 34 minutes. The former Blue Devil also had five assists and three blocks on 11-of-21 shooting and making all three of his free throws.

The 25 points Okafor posted were his highest total since he had 26 points against the Denver Nuggets on October 31 and the 14 rebounds were a season high for the former No. 3 overall pick.

Previously, Jahlil Okafor had 12 rebounds against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 2.

Former Blue Devil Frank Jackson also played 32 minutes against the Pistons and racked up 13 points and eight rebounds on 5-of-13 shooting but missed all four of his 3-point attempts coming off the bench.

Brandon Ingram did not play due to knee soreness and J.J. Redick sat out due to a left hamstring strain.

On the other side, Luke Kennard did not play for the Detroit Pistons due to knee tendinitis and the sharpshooter is not expected to return until after the All-Star Break.

With the win, the Pelicans improved to 15-26 on the season while the Pelicans fell dropped to 14-27.

Detroit will be back on the floor on Wednesday, January 15 when the Pistons hit the road to play the Boston Celtics and the Pelicans return home to face the Utah Jazz on Thursday, January 16 in the anticipated debut of No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson.

Home/Blue Devils in the NBA