The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Atlanta Hawks 121–99 on Saturday night at home.
Saddiq Bey scored 25 points off the bench. Jeremiah Fears added 20. Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III each scored 15. The Pelicans led by as many as 28 points and won their second consecutive game after opening the season 0–4.
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New Orleans opened the game with a 35–18 first-quarter lead. They shot 56% in the quarter and converted eight Atlanta turnovers into 16 points. The Pelicans led 63–48 at halftime and 92–74 entering the fourth quarter.
The Atlanta Hawks made 8 of 46 three-point attempts — 17.4% — and never trailed by fewer than 10 points after falling behind by that margin late in the first quarter. They have lost four of their last five contests.
CJ McCollum scored 14 points in his first appearance in New Orleans since the Pelicans traded him to Washington in June 2025. Fans applauded during a Pelicans-produced tribute video shown on the arena videoboards.
Hawks reserve guard Kingston Flemmings was ejected late in the fourth quarter for elbowing Pelicans reserve guard Bryce McGowens in the face. A brief scrum followed. Officials reviewed video before issuing the ejection. Flemmings had scored 12 points before the incident.
Both Pelicans victories came after first-year coach Jamahl Mosley adjusted the starting lineup, inserting Croatian forward Karlo Matkovic and defensive specialist Herb Jones. Matkovic recorded eight points and 10 rebounds and hit two corner three-pointers. Jones scored 11 points. Fears reached 20 points for the second straight game.
The Pelicans play at Memphis on Monday night. The Hawks travel to Indiana for their next game.
More: NBA · Atlanta Hawks · New Orleans Pelicans
