Jose Alvarado hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 16 seconds left as the New Orleans Pelicans secured their first win of the season, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 116–112 on Tuesday night at Smoothie King Center.
The victory snapped a six-game losing streak for New Orleans, which entered the matchup as one of only two winless teams in the league. The result dropped Charlotte to 3–5 and left the Brooklyn Nets (0–7) as the NBA’s lone team without a victory.
Trey Murphy III led the Pelicans with 21 points, while Alvarado and Saddiq Bey came off the bench to combine for 35. The timing of the win was crucial for a New Orleans squad playing without Zion Williamson, who was ruled out earlier in the day with a left hamstring strain expected to sideline him at least a week.
Charlotte, meanwhile, was missing LaMelo Ball for the second consecutive game due to a right ankle injury. In his absence, Miles Bridges carried the offense with 22 points, and rookie Kon Knueppel recorded his first career double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
After trailing by two at halftime, the Hornets opened the third quarter on an 11–0 run and controlled the tempo for most of the second half. But the Pelicans rallied behind their bench, led by rookie forward Derik Queen, who delivered 12 points, eight rebounds, and four steals in just 18 minutes.
With the game tied in the final moments, Alvarado dribbled right and pulled up from beyond the arc to give New Orleans the lead. On the next possession, Queen came up with a crucial steal, and Murphy sealed the win with two free throws.
Murphy finished 7-of-16 from the field, including 5-of-10 from three-point range, while Jordan Poole added 11 points and six assists despite an inefficient shooting night. The Pelicans shot 47.8% overall and 44.7% from deep.
For Charlotte, Ryan Kalkbrenner contributed 10 points and 11 rebounds, and Collin Sexton scored 17 with five assists. The Hornets shot 47.6% but committed 19 turnovers, several of which proved costly in the closing minutes.
New Orleans will look to build on the win when it visits Dallas on Wednesday, while Charlotte continues its road trip Friday in Miami.
