Pelicans extend winning streak past Hawks in 121-99 rout

Saddiq Bey scored 25 points while serving as a reserve, helping the New Orleans Pelicans defeat the Atlanta Hawks 121-99 on Saturday night. Jeremiah Fears added 20 points for the visitors, securing their second consecutive victory after losing their first four games of the season.

The Pelicans controlled the game from the opening minutes. They shot 56% from the field in the first quarter and converted eight Atlanta turnovers into 16 points. This effort established a 35-18 lead that New Orleans never relinquished. The team held a double-digit advantage at halftime, leading 63-48.

Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III each recorded 15 points for New Orleans. First-year coach Jamahl Mosley adjusted the starting lineup recently, moving versatile Croatian Karlo Matkovic to the center position and placing defensive specialist Herb Jones at shooting guard. These changes contributed to the team’s improved performance. Matkovic collected 10 rebounds and scored eight points, while Jones finished with 11 points.

CJ McCollum played his first game in New Orleans since the Pelicans traded him to Washington in June 2025. He scored 14 points for the Hawks. The home crowd applauded as the Pelicans played a tribute video for McCollum on the videoboards above the court. The emotional moment did not alter the game’s momentum for Atlanta.

The Hawks struggled from long range, missing 38 of their 46 three-point attempts. This shooting percentage stood at 17.4%. They never trailed by fewer than 10 points after falling behind that amount late in the first quarter. The deficit grew to 20 points during the third quarter before New Orleans led 92-74 entering the final period.

Tensions rose in the final minutes when reserve guard Kingston Flemmings received a technical foul. He was ejected for elbowing Pelicans reserve guard Bryce McGowens in the face. Flemmings had scored 12 points before leaving the game. Officials reviewed the incident on video before issuing the ejection. The incident sparked a brief scrum involving players and coaches from both teams.

The Pelicans travel to Memphis on Monday night. The Hawks host Indiana on Monday night.