Zaccharie Risacher led a balanced scoring attack as the Atlanta Hawks defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 117-100 on Wednesday night at State Farm Arena.
The Hawks snapped a two-game skid, with seven players scoring in double figures, including Jalen Johnson’s 19 points and eight rebounds.
Atlanta raced to an early nine-point lead in the first quarter and maintained control, building a 23-point advantage by the fourth quarter.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed 17 points, while Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard and Dyson Daniels each added 13, and Mouhamed Gueye chipped in 10 points.
The game marked the Hawks’ first contest without four-time All-Star Trae Young, who was traded to Washington for a package including veteran CJ McCollum, with Corey Kispert headed from Washington to Atlanta.
Young, listed out with a quad contusion, sat on the bench in street clothes as Atlanta executed its offense without its star point guard.
Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 22 points on 10-of-15 shooting, adding eight rebounds and six assists, while Jordan Poole scored 21 and Bryce McGowens added 20.
Despite their efforts, New Orleans was never able to match Atlanta’s efficiency, shooting 44 percent from the field and just 29 percent from three-point range.
The Pelicans, now 8-31, missed Trey Murphy due to a back injury, extending their losing streak to nine games since a December 22 victory over Dallas.
Atlanta improved to 18-21, climbing closer to the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference while navigating a major roster change.
The Hawks will travel to face the Denver Nuggets on Friday, opening a four-game road trip, while New Orleans returns home to face the Wizards.
