Pelicans beat Kings 132-120 to end four-game losing streak
Jeremiah Fears recorded a career-high 13 assists while Herb Jones started his first game in five years.
By Harper Collins ·
New Orleans Pelicans fans saw their team win for the first time this season on Thursday night. The squad defeated the Sacramento Kings 132-120 at the Smoothie King Center. This result improves New Orleans' record to 1-4. Sacramento remains 0-5, making them one of only two teams in the league without a win.
Jeremiah Fears provided the statistical edge for the home team. He scored 22 points and dished out a career-high 13 assists. He grabbed 11 rebounds, missing just one to reach his first career triple-double. Herb Jones, who started the game, contributed 16 points. Zion Williamson also scored 22 points. Trey Murphy added 19, Karlo Matkovic had 12, and both Bennedict Mathurin and Saddiq Bey finished with 10.
Guard Dejounte Murray sat out the contest. The New Orleans leader in assists and their second-leading scorer was with his family following the birth of his son. Coach Jamahl Mosley noted that he had been seeking more playing time for Jones, who started in the previous five seasons. This injury absence shifted the offensive burden to Fears and allowed Jones to enter the lineup.
The Pelicans seized control during the third quarter. Jones committed his fourth foul only 12 seconds into the period but remained in the game. He scored seven points during a 25-8 scoring run. Fears also added seven points, Williamson contributed six, and Murphy provided five. This burst gave New Orleans an 88-69 lead midway through the quarter.
The Kings fought back but could not close the gap. They trailed by as few as 11 points before the period ended. New Orleans led 102-88 at the end of the third quarter. It marked the second consecutive 39-point quarter for the Pelicans. Sacramento never returned within seven points during the fourth quarter.
The first quarter was tightly contested. The score tied twice and the lead changed hands seven times. Sacramento held a 30-24 lead at the end of the period. Rookie Darius Acuff led the Kings with 12 of his 34 total points. Precious Achiuwa and De'Andre Hunter each scored 24 points, while Zach LaVine added 21. Trendon Watford made his debut for New Orleans and scored six points.
New Orleans took a 63-61 halftime lead. The team executed a 12-0 run early in the second quarter to establish that advantage. Fears and Matkovic hit consecutive three-pointers in the final minute of the half. The Pelicans will host the Atlanta Hawks at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Smoothie King Center.
