Pelicans defeat Hawks 121-99 as Saddiq Bey scores 25

Saddiq Bey scored 25 points off the bench to help the New Orleans Pelicans defeat the Atlanta Hawks 121-99 on Saturday night. Jeremiah Fears contributed 20 points in the win, which marked the second consecutive victory for New Orleans after they lost their first four games of the season.

Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III each finished with 15 points. The Pelicans controlled the game for the majority of the contest, leading by 28 points at one point. They held a 20-point lead entering the fourth quarter and maintained the advantage until the final buzzer.

Atlanta struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 1-for-16 on three-point attempts. The Hawks attempted five three-pointers in the first half and missed them all. Their long-range shooting failed to find rhythm throughout the game, limiting their offensive output against the New Orleans defense.

CJ McCollum played his first game in New Orleans since the Pelicans traded him to Washington in June 2025. He scored 14 points for Atlanta. The Pelicans played a tribute video for McCollum on the videoboards above the court, and fans applauded during the presentation.

The Pelicans dominated the second quarter, outscoring the Hawks 36-28 in that period. They led 47-29 at the end of the second quarter. The team maintained its lead in the third quarter, extending the gap before entering the final period with a substantial cushion.

New Orleans shot 61% from the field and 81% from the free-throw line. The Hawks finished with 36 points in the second quarter and 28 in the third. The Pelicans secured the win with a 121-99 final score.

Jeremiah Fears scored 11 points in the first half, including a three-point basket. He finished with 20 points for the game. Saddiq Bey scored 25 points, leading the Pelicans in scoring. Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III provided support with 15 points each.