USA SPORTS NEWS :The New Orleans Pelicans finally have their first victory of the 2026-27 NBA season. Led by rookie guard Jeremiah Fears and an impressive all-around performance from Herbert Jones, New Orleans defeated the Sacramento Kings 132-120 on Thursday, October 29, at Smoothie King Center.
The Kings vs Pelicans matchup delivered an important result for a Pelicans team looking to turn around a difficult start. Jones contributed 16 points, four rebounds, one assist and two steals in 32 minutes, providing energy on both ends of the court. His performance was especially valuable defensively, while his plus-27 rating highlighted the team’s strong performance during his time on the floor.
Jeremiah Fears led the Pelicans with 22 points, eight rebounds and a career-high 13 assists. Zion Williamson also scored 22 points, while Trey Murphy III added 19 as New Orleans secured its first win under head coach Jamahl Mosley.
For Sacramento, rookie Darius Acuff Jr. delivered a career-best 34 points, but the Kings suffered another defeat and fell to 0-5.
Kings vs Pelicans Final Score and Game Highlights
The Pelicans defeated the Kings 132-120 after taking control during the second and third quarters. Sacramento started competitively, scoring 30 points in the opening period and holding a 30-24 advantage.
New Orleans responded in the second quarter, scoring 39 points to take a 63-61 halftime lead. The Pelicans continued their offensive momentum after the break, adding another 39 points in the third quarter.
That third-quarter performance proved decisive. New Orleans created separation with a major scoring run, putting Sacramento under pressure and forcing the visitors to chase the game.
The Kings managed 32 points in the fourth quarter, but the Pelicans maintained enough control to secure the 12-point victory.
Final score:
- Sacramento Kings: 120
- New Orleans Pelicans: 132
Quarter-by-quarter score:
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento Kings | 30 | 31 | 27 | 32 | 120 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 24 | 39 | 39 | 30 | 132 |
The result ended New Orleans’ four-game losing streak to begin the season and extended Sacramento’s difficult opening stretch to five consecutive defeats.
Herbert Jones Scores 16 Points and Makes a Defensive Impact
Herbert Jones was one of the important contributors in the Pelicans’ victory. Starting on Thursday, he finished with 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field, four rebounds, one assist and two steals.
Jones played 32 minutes and finished with a team-best plus-27 rating. That number reflected how effectively New Orleans performed with him on the court.
His two steals were particularly useful in a game where the Pelicans generated defensive pressure and disrupted Sacramento’s offensive rhythm. Jones also contributed through his efficient shooting, converting seven of his 12 field-goal attempts.
The forward did not need a huge scoring total to influence the outcome. His defensive awareness, ability to finish around the basket and willingness to contribute in different areas helped New Orleans maintain its advantage.
Jones received an opportunity to start with Dejounte Murray unavailable for personal reasons. He made the most of the increased responsibility, giving the Pelicans another reliable contributor in the starting lineup.
Although one strong performance does not automatically establish a larger change in his season-long role, it was an encouraging display for a player whose defensive contributions remain an important part of New Orleans’ identity.
Jeremiah Fears Leads New Orleans With 22 Points and 13 Assists
The biggest individual story of the night belonged to rookie Jeremiah Fears.
Fears recorded 22 points, eight rebounds, and a career-high 13 assists. He also contributed two steals and four blocks, producing an impressive performance across several statistical categories.
His ability to create opportunities for teammates helped the Pelicans generate consistent offense. New Orleans finished with 32 assists, demonstrating the team’s improved ball movement compared with its previous performances.
Fears’ scoring and playmaking were especially important because the Pelicans were without Dejounte Murray and Jordan Poole. The rookie handled significant responsibility in the backcourt and helped the team find offensive rhythm.
His performance could become an important confidence boost as he continues adjusting to the demands of the NBA regular season.
Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III Provide Scoring Support
Zion Williamson delivered another efficient offensive performance for New Orleans, scoring 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting.
All 10 of his made field goals came inside the paint, showing how effectively he attacked Sacramento’s defense. Williamson also collected six rebounds and recorded two assists.
Trey Murphy III contributed 19 points, five rebounds and three assists. His scoring helped New Orleans maintain pressure after the Kings attempted to stay within reach.
Herbert Jones, Fears, Williamson and Murphy gave the Pelicans multiple offensive options. That balance made it difficult for Sacramento to focus its defensive attention on a single player.
The Pelicans also received important contributions from their reserves. New Orleans’ bench outscored Sacramento’s second unit 41-8, a substantial difference that helped explain the final result.
Darius Acuff Jr. Scores Career-High 34 Points for the Kings
Despite the loss, Sacramento rookie Darius Acuff Jr. produced an impressive performance.
Acuff scored a career-high 34 points and added 12 assists, giving the Kings a major offensive contribution from their young guard. His scoring helped Sacramento remain competitive, particularly during the opening half.
De’Andre Hunter and Precious Achiuwa each added 24 points, while Zach LaVine finished with 21.
Domantas Sabonis collected 15 rebounds and seven assists, but his seven turnovers became a major problem for Sacramento.
The Kings committed 25 turnovers during the game, giving New Orleans additional opportunities to score. Sacramento’s offensive production was strong, but the number of possessions surrendered made it difficult to overcome the Pelicans’ scoring runs.
The loss also left the Kings searching for answers after opening the campaign with five consecutive defeats.
Pelicans Bench Makes the Difference Against Sacramento :
One of the most significant differences in the Pelicans vs Kings matchup came from the bench.
New Orleans’ reserves scored 41 points, while Sacramento’s second unit managed just eight. That 33-point advantage gave the Pelicans valuable support beyond their starting lineup.
The difference was particularly important during the middle portions of the game, when New Orleans built its lead.
The Pelicans also recorded 18 steals as a team, compared with Sacramento’s 12. Their defensive activity helped create additional scoring opportunities and contributed to the Kings’ turnover problems. New Orleans shot 59.5% from the field, making 50 of 84 attempts. Sacramento shot 52.3%, converting 46 of 88 attempts.
The Pelicans did not rely on three-point shooting to win. They made 10 three-pointers, compared with Sacramento’s 12, but their efficient work inside the arc and stronger bench production proved decisive.
What the Kings vs Pelicans Result Means for Both Teams :
For New Orleans, the victory provides an important opportunity to build momentum after a frustrating start.
The Pelicans had entered the matchup with four consecutive losses, including a 104-91 defeat against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. Their first win offers a positive response and gives the team something to build on.
The performance of Fears is particularly encouraging. His 22 points and 13 assists demonstrated his potential as a playmaker, while Jones’ defensive contributions and Williamson’s efficient scoring gave the team a balanced attack.
Sacramento faces a different challenge. The Kings are now 0-5 and need to reduce their turnovers while finding more consistent defensive performances. Scoring 120 points would normally give a team a strong chance to win, but allowing 132 points and committing 25 turnovers created a difficult situation.
The Kings must find ways to protect the basketball and prevent opponents from generating easy scoring opportunities.
What’s Next for the Pelicans and Kings?
The Pelicans will host the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, October 31, as they attempt to build on their first victory of the season.
The Kings will travel to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. Sacramento will be looking to end its five-game losing streak and avoid falling further behind in the early Western Conference standings.
Both teams have plenty of basketball left to play, but their next games will provide another opportunity to assess how quickly they can address their early-season problems.
Watch Now
Basketball fans looking for Kings vs Pelicans highlights can follow the official NBA game coverage for the October 29 matchup.
The game featured Jeremiah Fears’ career-high 13 assists, Zion Williamson’s efficient 22-point performance, and Herbert Jones’ 16 points and two steals. Darius Acuff Jr.’s career-best 34-point effort was another major highlight despite Sacramento’s defeat.
For official game information, highlights and player updates, visit NBA.com.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who won the Kings vs Pelicans game on October 29, 2026?
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Sacramento Kings 132-120 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
2. How many points did Herbert Jones score against the Kings?
Herbert Jones scored 16 points, shooting 7-of-12 from the field. He also recorded four rebounds, one assist and two steals.
3. How many steals did Herbert Jones have?
Jones recorded two steals in 32 minutes against Sacramento.
4. Who was the top scorer for the Pelicans?
Jeremiah Fears and Zion Williamson each scored 22 points. Fears also recorded eight rebounds and a career-high 13 assists.
5. Who scored the most points for the Sacramento Kings?
Rookie Darius Acuff Jr. led Sacramento with a career-high 34 points. He also contributed 12 assists.
6. Why did the Pelicans beat the Kings?
New Orleans benefited from efficient shooting, strong bench production and defensive pressure. The Pelicans’ reserves outscored Sacramento’s bench 41-8, while the Kings committed 25 turnovers.
7. What is the Pelicans’ record after beating Sacramento?
The victory improved New Orleans to 1-4 in the 2026-27 NBA regular season.
8. What is next for the Pelicans?
The Pelicans are scheduled to host the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
9. What is next for the Sacramento Kings?
The Kings are scheduled to visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
10. Where can fans watch Kings vs Pelicans highlights?
Fans can check the official NBA website for game information, available highlights and video coverage.
Conclusion
The Pelicans’ 132-120 win over the Kings was an important breakthrough after four straight losses. Jeremiah Fears led the offense with 22 points and 13 assists, Zion Williamson provided efficient scoring, and Herbert Jones delivered a strong two-way performance with 16 points and two steals.
Sacramento received a career-best scoring effort from Darius Acuff Jr., but 25 turnovers and a major bench-scoring disadvantage proved too costly.
For New Orleans, the challenge now is to turn its first victory into consistent progress. For the Kings, the priority is finding a way to stop the losing streak before the early-season slide becomes more difficult to overcome.
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