Unselfish Pelicans refreshed for visit from Hawks

Fresh off their first victory of the season, the New Orleans Pelicans hope improved ball movement carries over when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.

New Orleans shook off the baggage of opening the season with four losses by hammering Sacramento 132-120 on Thursday. Part of the Pelicans' lingering frustration stemmed from the fact their first three losses were by a combined 10 points.

"I'm proud of these guys for sticking with it," New Orleans coach Jamahl Mosley said. "I understand the process of things and how they came up and showed how they needed to play with that sense of urgency from the beginning of the game, trusting each other."

Mosley praised the Pelicans' ball movement after they recorded 32 assists on 50 made field goals, with all 10 players contributing at least one assist.

"We shared it. We moved it. We trusted it," Mosley said. "We played with a level of pace but allowed our defense to ignite our offense."

Jeremiah Fears, picked seventh in the 2025 NBA Draft, led the team's floor effort with a career-high 13 assists to go with a season-high 22 points and eight rebounds.

"The kid works so hard," Mosley said. "I've said that from the beginning. His ability to work overtime, that's just how he works. He studies film and he has a level of confidence and belief in what he does, and we have a level of belief in him of what he's capable of doing. You saw a lot of that tonight."

Likewise, Atlanta saw a lot from Onyeka Okongwu, picked sixth in the 2020 NBA Draft and the longest-tenured Hawk, when it snapped a three-game losing streak Thursday night with a 114-111 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Okongwu emerged from a slow start to record season highs for points (29) and rebounds (12). He also scored a crucial basket in the final minute.

"We need those guys to keep shooting and sometimes you can be discouraged a little bit by a result, particularly if you're a good shooter and you're used to seeing the ball go in, and it affects other parts of your game," said Atlanta coach Quin Snyder. "We had a few guys battle through some of that. If you're not making shots, how else can you contribute to the team?"

Atlanta's bench has provided valuable production as Snyder has settled on a nine-man rotation. Veteran Aaron Wiggins, playing with a left knee contusion, had 20 points and seven rebounds and finished with a team-best plus-17 rating against the Cavs. Jock Landale, who continues to play with a facemask after sustaining a nasal fracture in the opener, grabbed 10 rebounds in 15 minutes.

"A lot of it is the way (Wiggins) is going about it," Snyder said. "He's letting the game come to him and that doesn't mean don't be aggressive, either. He's just got a real poise about him on the offensive end and it has a settling effect on his teammates. It looks like he's having fun playing the game."

The Hawks swept the two-game series against the Pelicans last season and have won the last four meetings. Atlanta has also won three straight games in New Orleans.

--Field Level Media