The New Orleans Pelicans capped off a perfect three-game road trip with a convincing 116-103 victory over the Atlanta Hawks during Sunday’s NBA action.
Trey Murphy III led the way off the bench with 28 points, including six 3-pointers, contributing to the Pelicans’ fourth consecutive win and ending the Hawks’ three-game winning streak. Zion Williamson added 27 points, showcasing his versatility with six rebounds and seven assists.
“When he keeps it simple, like he’s been doing, the simple can be spectacular,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said, praising Murphy’s recent performances. “Trey’s shooting has been off the charts the last five to seven games.”
Bogdan Bogdanovic and Dejounte Murray were the standouts for the Hawks, scoring 25 and 23 points, respectively, but the team struggled without two starters, Trae Young and Jalen Johnson. The Hawks faced another setback when Saddiq Bey exited with a knee injury after scoring 14 points.
The Pelicans’ defense was particularly noteworthy, limiting the Hawks to 32% shooting in the first half and maintaining at least a 10-point lead throughout the fourth quarter. Herb Jones received special commendation for his defensive efforts against Murray.
“Herb Jones is incredible,” Green stated, highlighting Jones’ impact on the game. Murray also acknowledged Jones, saying, “Herb Jones is a first-team All-Defensive guy. I love the way that he competes.”
Williamson’s dynamic play was a key factor in the Pelicans’ dominant performance, with Coach Green noting his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. “(Williamson is) rebounding, he’s taking off in transition, he’s scoring in a number of ways,” Green observed. “And then he’s handling the ball and making plays for his teammates. When he’s playing dominant like he is, we’re tough to stop.”
The loss leaves the Hawks in the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference, with both teams looking ahead to their next challenges. The Pelicans will return home to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Hawks will embark on a four-game road trip starting with the Portland Trail Blazers.
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