The Charlotte Hornets cruised to a commanding 123-92 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night, led by standout performances from LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges. Ball recorded 25 points and seven assists, while Bridges contributed 22 points and six rebounds.
Charlotte’s offense ignited with a 27-8 run in the first half, helping the team establish a 63-45 lead by halftime. Seth Curry, coming off the bench, added 16 points on 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc, further extending the Hornets’ advantage.
Defensively, the Hornets limited the Pelicans to 38.1% shooting from the field and just 25.8% from three-point range. The team capitalized on New Orleans’ struggles, building their largest lead of the season at 33 points in the fourth quarter.
For the Pelicans, Zion Williamson was a bright spot, posting 28 points and 11 rebounds in his return after missing two games due to illness. Trey Murphy III added 16 points, while Jordan Hawkins chipped in 14.
New Orleans was without key contributors, including Dejounte Murray, who sat out with right elbow bursitis and a sprained finger. The absence of Murray and other injured players like Brandon Ingram and Herbert Jones left the Pelicans shorthanded and unable to mount a competitive challenge.
The Hornets’ bench also played a significant role, outscoring their counterparts 58-41. Moussa Diabate grabbed 13 rebounds to lead Charlotte’s efforts on the boards, while Vasilije Micic tallied 11 points and four assists in a strong showing.
This win improved the Hornets’ record to 12-30, snapping a three-game losing streak. On the other hand, the Pelicans dropped to 12-34, continuing their downward spiral in the standings.