Deadspin: Saddiq Bey provides lift as Pelicans claim victory over Hawks

Bey fuels New Orleans offense

Bey shot 9-for-13 and added six rebounds and four steals, the latter two figures also including a season high for steals. He previously spent parts of two seasons with Atlanta from 2023-24.

Jeremiah Fears scored 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting and had seven assists. Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy added 15 points apiece as New Orleans shot 56.6% from the field and scored 66 points in the paint.

Pelicans build early cushion

New Orleans shot 56% in the first quarter, making 14 of 25 attempts, and took a 35-18 lead. Bey scored eight points during the fast start. The Pelicans extended their advantage to 19 points in the second quarter after a Williamson layup made it 50-31 with 5:45 remaining. New Orleans went into halftime ahead 63-48.

Atlanta's rally falls short

The Hawks scored the first five points after halftime to cut the gap to 10, but New Orleans answered with a 15-5 run. The Pelicans led 92-74 heading into the fourth quarter.

Atlanta had seven players score in double figures, including 14 points from CJ McCollum and 13 from Jalen Johnson. Johnson left in the fourth quarter with a sprained ankle, while the Hawks' 19 turnovers contributed to 34 points for New Orleans.

Injuries and late altercation

Atlanta reserve center Jock Landale left in the first quarter with a hip pointer after playing 1:22. Asa Newell took his place in the rotation and scored 13 points.

A brief skirmish occurred with 3:04 left. Atlanta's Kingston Flemings and New Orleans' Julian Reese received double technicals, and Flemings was ejected.