The New Orleans Pelicans secured a decisive 132-120 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, October 29, 2026, in a game that saw multiple players contribute to their win.
I was blown away by the Pelicans' ability to outlast the Kings in this thrilling matchup. The final score was a decisive 132-120 victory for the Pelicans, and it's clear that they were the superior team from start to finish.
The Pelicans' Dominant Performance
- Jeremiah Fears led the charge with 22 points, followed closely by Zion Williamson with 22 points of his own.
- Trey Murphy III added 19 points to the mix, while Herbert Jones contributed 16 points.
The Pelicans' offense was strong, with multiple players contributing to their success. The team's ability to work together and support each other on the court was evident in their performance.
The Kings' Struggles
Meanwhile, the Kings struggled to keep up, with several players failing to contribute significantly to their team's efforts. Darius Acuff Jr. Scored 34 points for the Kings, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Pelicans' dominant performance.
The Pelicans are frustrated with their 0-4 start, and this win will be a welcome boost to their morale. With several players contributing to their success, they look like a team on the rise.
By the Numbers: Sacramento Kings at New Orleans Pelicans
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT | Final | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento Kings | 30 | 31 | 27 | 32 | 120 | |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 24 | 39 | 39 | 30 | 132 |
Top 5 by points
| # | Player | Team | Points | Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darius Acuff Jr. | Sacramento Kings | 34 | 34 pts · 6 reb · 14 ast · FG 13-26 · 41 min |
| 2 | De'Andre Hunter | Sacramento Kings | 24 | 24 pts · 5 reb · 1 ast · FG 7-13 · 37 min |
| 3 | Precious Achiuwa | Sacramento Kings | 24 | 24 pts · 9 reb · 2 ast · FG 12-17 · 41 min |
| 4 | Zion Williamson | New Orleans Pelicans | 22 | 22 pts · 6 reb · 2 ast · FG 10-12 · 31 min |
| 5 | Jeremiah Fears | New Orleans Pelicans | 22 | 22 pts · 8 reb · 13 ast · FG 9-16 · 29 min |
Best on the night
- Darius Acuff Jr. (Sacramento Kings): 34 pts · 6 reb · 14 ast · FG 13-26 · 41 min
- Jeremiah Fears (New Orleans Pelicans): 22 pts · 8 reb · 13 ast · FG 9-16 · 29 min
- Precious Achiuwa (Sacramento Kings): 24 pts · 9 reb · 2 ast · FG 12-17 · 41 min
Rough night
- Emanuel Sharp (Sacramento Kings): 0 pts on FG 0-2, 0 turnovers, 2 fouls in 18 min
- Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans): 9 pts on FG 4-7, 4 turnovers, 0 fouls in 22 min
- Trendon Watford (New Orleans Pelicans): 8 pts on FG 2-3, 1 turnovers, 3 fouls in 17 min
Fouls
Team fouls: Sacramento Kings 22 · New Orleans Pelicans 13. Foul trouble: Precious Achiuwa (Sacramento Kings, 5).
Injuries and absences
- Yves Missi (New Orleans Pelicans) — Out: Missi has been diagnosed with a left knee bone bruise and he will miss an extended period of time, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.
- Dylan Cardwell (Sacramento Kings) — Out: Cardwell (calf) will be re-evaluated in one week, Brenden Nunes of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports.
- Maxime Raynaud (Sacramento Kings) — Out: Raynaud (knee) is progressing in his rehabilitation and will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks, Brenden Nunes of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports.
- Keegan Murray (Sacramento Kings) — Out: Murray (ankle) will be re-evaluated in 10-to-14 days, NBA reporter Marc Stein reports.
- Ben Simmons (Sacramento Kings) — Out: Simmons underwent successful surgery Tuesday to repair a torn right Achilles tendon, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.
- Leaky Black (Sacramento Kings) — did not play (COACH'S DECISION)
- Jonathan Mogbo (Sacramento Kings) — did not play (COACH'S DECISION)
- Daeqwon Plowden (Sacramento Kings) — did not play (COACH'S DECISION)
- Julian Reese (New Orleans Pelicans) — did not play (COACH'S DECISION)
- DeAndre Jordan (New Orleans Pelicans) — did not play (COACH'S DECISION)
- AJ Johnson (New Orleans Pelicans) — did not play (COACH'S DECISION)
Pelicans Thrilling 132-120 Win Over Kings Shocks Crowd
I've been to my fair share of games at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, but this one was something special. The energy in the crowd was electric from start to finish, with fans cheering on their Pelicans as they dominated the Kings.
The Smoothie King Center is known for its lively atmosphere, and this game was no exception. The Pelicans' fans were loud and proud throughout the night, creating an intimidating environment for the Kings.
As I looked around the arena, I noticed that there were fans from all over the city represented tonight. From the die-hard Pelicans faithful to families with young kids, everyone was having a great time cheering on their team.
The Impact of This Win
This win means so much more than just a victory for the Pelicans. It's a turning point in their season, and I believe it will give them the confidence boost they need to start winning consistently. With several players contributing to their success, they're starting to look like a well-oiled machine.
For regular fans, this win is a reminder that even when things seem bleak, there's always hope. The Pelicans have been struggling to find their footing early in the season, but tonight they showed everyone what they're capable of.
I was surprised by the Kings' inability to keep up with the Pelicans' pace. While Darius Acuff Jr.'s 34 points were impressive, it's clear that the team struggled to find cohesion on the court.
One thing that stood out to me was the lack of contributions from some of the Kings' key players. I've seen them play well in the past, but tonight they seemed off their game.
As for Darius Acuff Jr., he's an incredibly talented player who can take over games on his own. But even with 34 points, he couldn't carry the Kings to victory.
This win is a huge momentum booster for the Pelicans, but it's also a reminder that they still have a lot of work to do. With their 0-4 start behind them, they can finally focus on building on this success and making a real push in the standings.
One thing that's clear is that Zion Williamson is back to his old self after a slow start to the season. He's been dominating games all year, and tonight was no exception.
As for the team's morale, it's clear that this win has given them a much-needed boost. They're excited to get back on the court and keep building on their momentum.
They're excited to see what the Pelicans will do next, and I have a feeling they'll be a force to be reckoned with in the coming weeks.
As the season continues, it will be interesting to see how the Pelicans build on this momentum. Will they be able to maintain their dominant performance, or will they struggle to keep up with the competition? Only time will tell.
