And on this roadtrip, where the Jazz will face the Pelicans once more on Monday night, it was really, really important for the Jazz decision makers to find a way to finagle a loss against the Pelicans.

The Utah Jazz have hit the cellar of the Western Conference. Zion Williamson highlighted a 24-point, 14-rebound performance with an array of thunderous dunks during a dominant fourth-quarter stint, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Utah Jazz 136-123 on Friday night to open a two-game set.

The Jazz dropped the first of a two-game tank-off with the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, falling 136-123 at the Smoothie King Center.

For the first time in what has been a rough season, the New Orleans Pelicans have reeled off three consecutive victories.

Zion Williamson was suspended one game by the Pelicans for arriving late to the team’s flight to Philadelphia, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania . He’ll miss New Orleans’ Friday night game against the 76ers as a result.