The New Orleans Pelicans secured a 121-99 victory over the Atlanta Hawks to claim their second win of the season, bouncing back from a difficult 0-4 start. The nearly wire-to-wire win on Saturday night was driven by a disruptive defense and strong performances from Saddiq Bey and Jeremiah Fears, despite playing without several key contributors.
How Did the Pelicans Overcome Missing Key Players?
Head coach Jamahl Mosley rolled out the same starting lineup that found success against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, leaning on depth to weather the absence of Yves Missi, Jordan Poole, and Dejounte Murray. That continuity meant a second straight start for forward Herb Jones, who averaged just 16 minutes per game prior to Thursday’s matchup.
The altered rotation clicked immediately. Saddiq Bey paced all scorers with a game-high 25 points, shooting an efficient 9-for-13 from the field. Meanwhile, Jeremiah Fears built on his career night from Thursday, pouring in 20 points alongside 7 assists and 5 rebounds to keep the New Orleans offense afloat.
What Sparked the Defensive Dominance Against Atlanta?
Defense served as the engine for the blowout, with the Pelicans forcing 15 steals and converting those defensive stops into 34 points off turnovers. Entering the contest, New Orleans ranked second in the league in steals, with 13.4 per game, continuing a trend that saw them finish in the top 10 last season.
A primary driver of this disruptive scheme has been star forward Zion Williamson. Williamson leads the league in steals, averaging 3.2 per game. He added three more steals against Atlanta, spearheading an aggressive attack that compensates for an offense still finding its rhythm early in the season.
Why Is the Three-Point Disparity Still an Issue?
Despite the comfortable 22-point margin of victory, underlying roster concerns persist. The Pelicans attempted just 17 three-point shots against the Hawks, highlighting a multi-year trend that left the organization ranking last in the league with an average of just 28 attempts from beyond the arc over their first six games.
Compounding the low volume is a decline in accuracy, with New Orleans shooting just 31% from deep. With Trey Murphy III standing out as one of the team’s only consistent, viable distance shooters, the reliance on two-point scoring puts immense pressure on drivers like Williamson, Derik Queen, and Fears. The team currently operates at a roughly minus-12 nightly disadvantage in the three-point category, meaning nights without defensive turnover explosions leave the offense mathematically vulnerable.
