The New Orleans Pelicans faced a tough night on the court, falling to the Charlotte Hornets 123-92 in a game dominated by the home team. Despite Zion Williamson‘s return to the lineup with an impressive 28 points and 11 rebounds, the Pelicans struggled to find their rhythm. Charlotte’s explosive 27-8 first-half run, fueled by sharp shooting and defensive stops, left New Orleans reeling.
The absence of Dejounte Murray, who sat out with right elbow bursitis and a sprained finger, was evident as the Pelicans lacked consistency in their offensive flow. Trey Murphy III and Jordan Hawkins chipped in with 16 and 14 points, respectively, but it wasn’t enough to counter the Hornets’ balanced attack.
Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges combined for 47 points, with Seth Curry adding a deadly 16 points from beyond the arc. The Hornets set the tone early, closing out the first quarter with a commanding 12-2 run that shifted momentum firmly in their favor. By halftime, the Pelicans were trailing 63-45, unable to slow down Charlotte’s offensive onslaught.
The defeat marked one of the Pelicans’ most lopsided losses of the season, highlighting defensive lapses and inconsistent execution on both ends of the floor. With a quick turnaround, New Orleans will need to regroup as they head to Toronto for their next matchup on Monday night, hoping to put this disappointing performance behind them.
