Charlotte Hornets @ New Orleans Pelicans
Alvarado's 3-pointer sends Pelicans past Hornets for their first win of the season
NEW ORLEANS -- — Jose Alvarado made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 16 seconds left and the New Orleans Pelicans won for the first time this season by beating the Charlotte Hornets 116-112 on Tuesday night.
Trey Murphy III scored 21 points for the Pelicans, who had dropped their first six games. Their victory left the Brooklyn Nets (0-7) as the NBA's only winless team.
Alvarado added 18 points and fellow reserve Saddiq Bey had 17 for the Pelicans, who announced earlier Tuesday that Zion Williamson would miss at least a week because of a strained left hamstring.
Miles Bridges scored 22 points and rookie Kon Knueppel had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Hornets, who played without LaMelo Ball for a second straight game because of a right ankle injury.
Trailing by two at halftime, Charlotte opened the third quarter with an 11-0 run to take a lead it held all the way until Alvarado dribbled right and pulled up for his go-ahead shot.
Rookie Derik Queen then came up with his fourth steal of the game after Charlotte inbounded and Murphy made two free throws to make it 115-112. Bridges missed a tying 3-point attempt and Bey made a free throw to close the scoring.
Queen scored all of his 12 points in the final quarter and also had eight rebounds and seven assists in 18 minutes.
Hornets: Visit Miami on Friday.
Pelicans: Visit Dallas on Wednesday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Regular Season Series
NO leads 1-0
Game Information
- Referees:
- Kevin Cutler
- Scott Foster
- Simone Jelks
2025-26 Southeast Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 4 | 3 | .571 | - | W1 |
| Atlanta | 4 | 4 | .500 | 0.5 | W1 |
| Orlando | 3 | 5 | .375 | 1.5 | L1 |
| Charlotte | 3 | 5 | .375 | 1.5 | L1 |
| Washington | 1 | 6 | .143 | 3 | L5 |
2025-26 Southwest Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio | 5 | 1 | .833 | - | L1 |
| Houston | 4 | 2 | .667 | 1 | W4 |
| Memphis | 3 | 5 | .375 | 3 | L3 |
| Dallas | 2 | 5 | .286 | 3.5 | L2 |
| New Orleans | 1 | 6 | .143 | 4.5 | W1 |

