Pelicans' Roster Shakeup Yields First Wins of Season

New Orleans Pelicans head coach Jamahl Mosley adjusted the starting lineup before Saturday's game against the Atlanta Hawks, and the team won 121-99. The victory marked the second consecutive win for the Pelicans, who had lost their first four games of the season. Saddiq Bey led the offense with 25 points, while Jeremiah Fears contributed 20 points.

The roster changes came after a rough start to the year. Mosley, in his first season as head coach, placed Karlo Matkovic and Herb Jones into the starting five. They joined incumbent starters Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III. Williamson and Murphy III each scored 15 points in the win against Atlanta. Matkovic recorded eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Jones added 11 points.

The Hawks struggled from beyond the arc, missing 38 of their 46 three-point attempts. They shot just 17.4% from deep and never got closer than 10 points to New Orleans after falling behind late in the first quarter. The Pelicans took a 35-18 lead in the opening period, converting eight Atlanta turnovers into 16 points. New Orleans maintained a double-digit lead at halftime, trailing 63-48.

The game featured a moment of recognition for C.J. McCollum, who played for the Pelicans before being traded to Washington in June 2025. McCollum, playing in New Orleans for the first time since the trade, scored 14 points for Atlanta. The Pelicans displayed a tribute video on the videoboards above the court, and fans applauded as McCollum took the floor.

Tensions rose in the final minutes when Hawks guard Kingston Flemmings received a technical foul and was ejected. Flemmings, who finished with 12 points, elbowed Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens in the face. A brief scrum formed as players and coaches intervened. Officials reviewed the play on video before confirming the ejection.

Both teams return to action on Monday night. The Pelicans travel to Memphis to face the Grizzlies. The Hawks head to Indiana to play the Pacers.

The Pelicans extended their lead to 20 points in the third quarter before entering the fourth period with a 92-74 advantage. The final score of 121-99 secured the victory for New Orleans.