The New Orleans Pelicans are starting to show signs of life - and they’re doing it with style. In a commanding 120-94 win over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night at the Smoothie King Center, New Orleans put together one of its most complete performances of the season.
Trey Murphy III led the charge with 21 points, flashing the kind of scoring versatility that makes him such a valuable piece in the Pelicans’ rotation. But it was rookie Jeremiah Fears who turned heads, dropping 20 points in a performance that felt like a coming-out party. Confident, composed, and aggressive, Fears played like a veteran, not a first-year guard still finding his footing.
This marks just the fourth time all season that New Orleans has strung together back-to-back wins, but it’s the way they did it that stands out. After Friday’s upset win over the Timberwolves in Minnesota, the Pelicans came home and didn’t just win - they dominated.
New Orleans shot a blistering 54% from the field, compared to Sacramento’s 40%. After falling behind by five early in the first quarter, the Pelicans found their rhythm and never looked back, building a lead that ballooned to as much as 32 points. It was the kind of wire-to-wire control that’s been rare for this squad in a season full of turbulence.
Zion Williamson chipped in with 18 points, showing flashes of his explosive self and continuing to build momentum after a stretch of inconsistent play. Saddiq Bey and Karlo Matkovic each added 12, giving the Pelicans a balanced offensive attack that overwhelmed a struggling Kings team.
Speaking of Sacramento, the loss extends their skid to 13 straight - the longest active losing streak in the league. Now sitting at 12-43, they’ve slipped below Indiana for the NBA’s worst record. It’s been a rough ride for the Kings, and despite a monster performance from French 7-footer Maxime Raynaud - who posted 21 points and 19 rebounds - they simply couldn’t keep pace.
Veteran guard Russell Westbrook added 17 for Sacramento, while Devin Carter and Nique Clifford scored 12 and 10, respectively. But beyond that trio, the Kings struggled to find offensive rhythm or defensive resistance.
The Pelicans, now 15-40, still face a steep climb in the standings, but this two-game stretch offers a glimpse of what this team is capable of when things click. With a five-game homestand underway, they’ll look to keep the momentum going Wednesday night when the Miami Heat come to town.
For a team that’s spent most of the season searching for consistency, this win wasn’t just another W - it was a statement.