Jose Alvarado delivered in the clutch as the New Orleans Pelicans edged the Charlotte Hornets 98-94 on Sunday night.
With 31 seconds remaining, Alvarado converted a go-ahead three-point play off a reverse layup, sealing the win for New Orleans (21-54). His basket and free throw erased a 94-93 deficit after Nick Smith Jr. had given Charlotte (18-56) a late lead with a three-pointer.
DaQuan Jeffries’ turnover on the following possession set up Keion Brooks Jr., who finished with a game-sealing layup. The Pelicans, playing without top scorer Zion Williamson for the fifth straight game, overcame a sluggish start and used a 31-point third quarter to take control.
Brooks led New Orleans with 17 points, while Antonio Reeves added 16. Kelly Olynyk finished with 13, and both Alvarado and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl contributed 12. The Pelicans shot 41.3% from the field, hitting 9-of-31 attempts from deep.
Miles Bridges paced the Hornets with 20 points, and Smith had 19. Jusuf Nurkic posted a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, but Charlotte struggled offensively, shooting just 35.2% from the field. The Hornets have now lost five straight games.
Charlotte played without LaMelo Ball, who was recently ruled out for the remainder of the season due to ankle and wrist injuries. Rookie KJ Simpson started in his place and finished with nine points and four assists.
New Orleans also missed CJ McCollum, who sat out with a right foot contusion. The Pelicans’ depth proved key, as Brooks and Robinson-Earl combined for 29 points off the bench.
Despite a cold shooting night from beyond the arc (24.2%), Charlotte kept the game close, leading by as many as 10 in the first half. However, New Orleans’ improved ball movement in the second half, along with Alvarado’s clutch play, proved decisive.
